The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Business crucial to a safe return to normal

  • Written by Business Council


The Business Council is today releasing a paper that outlines how business will play a crucial part in a risk management approach to returning greater freedoms to Australians, including normal day-to-day business and personal activities.

Business is playing a leading role in managing a careful and gradual easing of restrictions without compromising safety as part of our commitment to drive Australia’s social and economic recovery, Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.

“We all recognise that in the long run there can be no trade-off between health, social and economic recovery: our strategy must deliver on all fronts, or it will fail.

“The business community stands side by side with state and federal governments to safely re-open our nation by providing safe workplaces for employees, customers, and suppliers.

“It is vital that together we rebuild a sense of confidence in the community that it will be safe to go back to work, go to the shops, and go about our daily lives so we can start moving forward.

“We welcome the National Cabinet’s decision to begin mapping out the road ahead, and we believe the critical elements of safely easing back on restrictions include:

·      Keeping employees, customers, and suppliers safe through enhanced workplace safety standards

·      Rebuilding confidence by continuing partnerships between governments, unions and industry, and

·      Transitioning economic assistance from ‘life-support’ to ‘acceleration’.

“The community must have confidence in how restrictions are safely eased otherwise the social and economic benefits will not be realised.

“Industry and business will continue to develop and adopt best practice safety standards, with many already enforcing social distancing rules, enhanced hygiene practices, and staggered and rotating return of workers.

“We also believe that confidence in a safe re-opening of the economy will be further boosted by mass testing and the adoption of opt-in technology such as mobile apps to assist with contact tracing to minimise further outbreaks of the virus. Business stands ready to be part of those solutions,” Business council president Tim Reed said.

“Using a ‘traffic light’ style approach that registers red, amber or green, apps could easily detect a person’s infection risk and would be a powerful way to help employers keep employees, customers and suppliers safe as well as reassure the community about the safety of work and public places.

“Any technology would need to be community driven, have strict independent governance, privacy safeguards and an expiry date,” he said.

The decisions by Australian governments, businesses and individuals to embrace social distancing measures has been highly effective in combating the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer Westacott said.

“This means we now have an opportunity to determine how to best manage the virus and its impacts on our society and economy as we move forward. The costs of failing to properly manage the way out of the pandemic would be enormous and generations would pay the price.

“We must not waste a second of our new level of co-operation between business, governments, unions and the broader community to work towards recovery.’’

Read Working together in the national interest – COVID-19 next steps online here

Property Times

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifestyle, your dreams, and your future. However, before you start sketchin...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-buying process is crucial for success. Whether you're a first-time buye...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value for your property. Let’s go through the most important steps to take b...

Smart Ways to Earn Passive Income from Real Estate

Imagine making money without doing much work. You get paid even while you sleep, travel, or do fun things. This is called passive income. Indeed, real estate has great ways to do this. You don't have to be a landlord all day; similarly, you don't h...

Food & Dining

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lagers to innovative craft brews, beer is woven into the fabric of Australi...

Business Times

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

Samsara Eco and lululemon announce 10 year partnership

lululemon and Samsara Eco Announce 10-Year Plan to Advance Recycled Material Portfolio Plan will see lululemon source a...

Barelli Bathrooms announces celebrity interior designer Kellie Ri…

Barelli Bathrooms, a leading name in contemporary bathroom accessories and design, is proud to announce its new national ...

The Times Features

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...