More than two million people had downloaded the federal government’s COVIDSafe app in the 24 hours after its release on Sunday night. The government is hoping at least 40% of the population will make use of the app, designed to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease. Previously dubbed TraceTogether – in line with… Read more »
Atlassian boss Mike Cannon-Brookes and Square Peg Capital’s Paul Bassat are among the tech sector’s high-profile supporters of the federal government’s contact-tracing smartphone app, CovidSafe, released on Sunday, but many remain wary of letting politicians anywhere near their data amid ongoing suspicion of their motives. Cannon-Brookes came out in favour of the app, which… Read more »
While many businesses have been forced to close as part of social distancing measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus, one entrepreneur’s poison is another’s meat and alongside covering how to get through the next six months, and detailing what’s happening in small business land in our series “From The Frontline“, as well as recognising… Read more »
The founder of a health data analytics startup says it’s “absurd” for people to worry about the government tracking people on its new coronavirus app, when so many already give away their location data to international tech giants such as Facebook and Google. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Health Minister Greg Hunt released the voluntary… Read more »
Australia is set to hit double-digit unemployment rates for the first time in 26 years. The Treasury reports the partial economic shutdown has put more than 700,000 Australians out of work with estimates the figure will rise to one million before the end of the June quarter. As a result, the nation’s unemployment rate is expected… Read more »
FinTech Australia has launched a talent marketplace for Australian fintechs on LinkedIn, in a project backed by Tier One People. The marketplace, run through LinkedIn Groups, aims to connect candidates with prospective employers and help any talent displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic find new opportunities. Even before the project went live this week, leading Australian… Read more »
Startup accelerator and VC investor Antler is on the hunt for startups looking to tackle problems created by Covid-19, pledging to invest up to US$500,000 (AU$780,000) in up to five teams globally. Antler, which has a Sydney program that launched last year, is looking for coronavirus-focused startups in the following areas: Mitigation (e.g. masks, contact… Read more »
Tech association ACS is hosting a major online hackathon over the Easter weekend with one goal in mind – to find ways to help ‘Flatten the Curve’ – reduce the infection rate – in the battle against coronavirus. The #flattenthecurvehack runs for 48 hours from 6pm today, April 9, with more than 2000 competitors tackling 62… Read more »
Accountancy software company MYOB has released a Business Preparedness Guide to help small businesses find their way through all the information and tips on how to successfully face the COVID-19 crisis. MYOB CEO, Greg Ellis, says the rapidly changing situation made it challenging for businesses to keep on top of the latest advice and available… Read more »
Two South Australian companies that have previously worked together to produce luxury speakers are collaborating to manufacture face shields to fill local shortages. Kyron Audio is world-renowned for producing extreme high-fidelity dipole loudspeaker systems for the luxury market and was due to exhibit its wares at Sydney’s 2020 Hi-Fi Show last weekend. But the cancellation… Read more »
Landlords will be forced to reduce rents on commercial properties in proportion with the loss of turnover their small business tenants have experienced under new measures announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday. The plan will be backed up by state-based legislation and a mandatory Code of Conduct, building on last Friday’s six-month ban… Read more »
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is encouraging the state’s citizens to hop online and get qualified. The premier has announced a number of TAFE courses will now be available for free and she is urging people to make use of their time at home to upskill. “It means people can start preparing for when these difficult… Read more »
After decades of talk and opinion and vibes about working remotely and job flexibility, COVID-19 has delivered dramatic and rapid change to the way many people work. If you weren’t already using remote communication technologies such as Slack and Zoom, it’s been a crash course in staying in touch, and a University of South… Read more »
The A$130 billion $1,500-per-fortnight JobKeeper payment will benefit six million Australians for six months, with payments expected from May 1. Eligible businesses include not-for-profits and businesses with turnovers of less than $1 billion per year whose turnover is down 30%. Businesses with turnovers of more than $1 billion per year need to have lost 50%… Read more »
The economic crisis brought on by COVID-19 is unlike anything the startup sector and broader business community experienced before. The economic rule book has been thrown out the window and Australian government’s response reflects gravity of the situation, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing a massive $130 billion stimulus package, in a bid to keep people… Read more »
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