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As most Australian companies focus on the health of their customers and staff at this critical time, it is important to not neglect the business side of things, especially GST.

We have previously reported on the changes to the Jobkeeper wage subsidy, and in particular the movement from the current one rate for eligible employers, to a new two-tiered system. The Government has now provided additional clarification on how this will operate in practice.

Against a background of economic uncertainty, the hospitality industry, in particular the accommodation sector, is preparing to re-invent itself with recent technological investments and stringent health and safety.

We are all being impacted in different ways by Covid-19. We are under pressures in running our businesses that have never occurred before. For many businesses making small savings day to day may well be the difference between continued operation and having to throw our hands in the air and give in. In these difficult times, we would all be forgiven for thinking that now is not the time to introduce new penalties, however a number of State governments do not agree with this sentiment. Victoria, and now Queensland have passed legislation which not only makes it an offence to underpay employees, as it already is, but they have introduced the additional penalty of potential imprisonment for business owners and operators.

On 21 July 2020 the Federal Government announced the future plans for the Jobkeeper wage subsidy. The current program will conclude at the end of September 2020, and an alternative version of the Jobkeeper wage subsidy will then commence for employers who meet the ongoing eligibility criteria.