SEMMA welcomes government payroll tax threshold Industry representative group the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has said that it welcomes the Victorian government lifting the tax-free threshold on payroll tax from $900,000 to $1 million, but says raising it further to $5 million will provide further incentive for small to medium businesses to invest…
New synthetic biology group launched Plant SynBio Australia (PSBA) was launched in Canberra on Wednesday, aiming at coordinating a national network of infrastructure and expertise to accelerate gains in agri-food productivity. PSBA will focus on synthetic biology, which uses engineering principles to redesign biological organisms for desired outcomes including creating vaccines, novel crops, and foods…
Researchers discover way to safely destroy PFAS An Australian-led team of international scientists have shown how harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be safely destroyed, in a world-first study to trace the entire chain of chemical reactions as PFAS break down during incineration. Researchers from CSIRO, the University of Newcastle, Colorado State University and…
Collapsed architectural glass maker Oceania Glass has been unable to find a buyer since going into administration earlier this month, with 56 employees made redundant ahead of the closure of its Dandenong factory. According to a statement from administrators Grant Thornton on Thursday, there is a potential for another 95 redundancies “over the coming weeks”…
The Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA) has added to comments urging government action on cheap imports following the collapse of Australia’s only producer of architectural glass last week. In a statement on Thursday, AGWA said “serious consequences for Australia’s building sector and national housing supply targets” were risks unless more was done to shield…
Industry association the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has blamed factors including “poor policy, cheap imports, government over-taxing businesses and crippling union agreements” for Dandenong-based architectural glassmaker Oceania Glass falling into administration this week. In a statement on Wednesday, following news of Oceania’s collapse on Monday, SEMMA said it was “shocked” at another manufacturer…
The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) has labelled funding cuts to RTO operators in Victoria as ‘senseless’. The comment follows confirmation that despite holding a contract in 2023, 22 RTOs across the state did not secure a Skills First contract offer for 2024. SEMMA CEO Honi Walker said: “It’s hard to understand why the…
ClearVue secures second solar window order from US customer Building-integrated photovoltaics company ClearVue Technologies has secured a repeat order from System USA for a solar greenhouse demonstrator showroom. The $175,000 project will create a demonstrator greenhouse exhibiting ClearVue technology which generates electricity from its solar glazing. The project will be eligible for incentives under the…