Under the new changes, landlords will have to register a lease within three months of it being signed. Small businesses will also get greater access to justice with the Act increasing the financial cap on disputes that can be heard in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), from $400,000 to $750,000.

It’s very important for small retailers to know up-front what their financial obligations are before they enter into a lease, and the Act will now require landlords to accurately disclose and estimate outgoings in a disclosure statement. The Act also limits the extent to which a landlord can claim outgoings if these were not properly disclosed making for a fairer retail marketplace.

Changes resulting from the 2017-18 May Federal budget will include extension of the $20,000 instant asset write off for a second year, changes to the company tax rate, and the introduction of the skilled visa levy and temporary work visa levy.

The corporate tax rate for businesses with a turnover of between $10 million and $25 million will be eligible from a lower company tax rate of 27.5 per cent. An annual temporary work visa levy of $1,200 or $1,800 per worker a year and one-off permanent skilled visa levy of $3,000 will also come into effect in July. For more information go to: www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

Patients and carers who frequently visit NSW public hospitals will save as much as $200 a week under parking fees and expanded concessions. A website and smartphone app – the first of its kind in Australia – will provide information on how to access the discounted rates. These changes mean much cheaper and fairer parking fees – especially for patients visiting hospital for regular or long-term treatment.

The website (www.parking.health.nsw.gov.au) and app, provide information on fees and concessions, eligibility criteria, maps, public transport options and other health-related subsidies.  The concessions are to be extended to every public hospital car park in NSW where fees are applied.

Under the new policy, a three-day discounted ticket will cost a maximum of $10.90 and a seven-day ticket $21.70, and both allow multiple entries and exits.

Sporting clubs, business associations, youth groups and victim support groups in Barwon are winners in the NSW Government’s 2017 Community Safety Fund. More than $630,000 has been allocated to local crime-fighting projects to complement the work of the NSWGovernment and law enforcement agencies including specialised education programs, installation of CCTV and lighting and early intervention initiatives.

The proposals which won grants under this program represent innovative solutions to local problems and I congratulate the successful groups for the quality of their applications. We know a one-size-fits-all approach does not work when it comes to reducing crime, be it in the city or the country, and that is why the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’ established the Community Safety Fund, providing $10 million over four years, to bring local community safety ideas to fruition.

For further visit: crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au

Congratulations to Reverend Graham McLeod for receiving the Premiers Community Service Award presented by Deputy Premier, John Barilaro MP and Member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries MP.