INTHEBLACK June/July 2024 - Magazine - Page 9
“It is important to recognise that greenwashing,
of course, is not new. Despite the significant
interest in the issue, what is now referred to
as ‘greenwashing’ is, of course, just misleading
and deceptive conduct by another name.”
Sarah Court, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, deputy
chair, Connexus Super Chair Forum, February 2024
PAMPERED PETS
Pet ownership takes a bite out of Australian
household budgets, according to research
commissioned by CommBank, with pet owners
spending an average of 10 per cent of their
income on their pets.
Australia has one of the highest rates of pet
ownership worldwide at more than 30 million
furry or feathered friends. During the pandemic,
pet ownership across the country increased
by about 10 per cent, with almost 70 per cent
of households now owning a pet.
How much a pet owner spends appears to
differ for each generation, with Millennials
spending the most.
Spending per month
AUSTRALIAN SME s UNDER PRESSURE
Australian business owners are becoming more conservative about
borrowing and investment, according to data from Small Business
Loans Australia.
The business loan comparison site surveyed 202 directors
and decision-makers at small-to-medium businesses in 2023.
The results show that 90 per cent of businesses are more cautious
about borrowing money in the 2023–24 financial year, while
69 per cent will hold off on investments such as purchasing
equipment and recruitment.
Alon Rajic, founder and managing director of Small Business
Loans Australia, says higher interest rates and the cost of living
are continuing to put pressure on businesses.
“Many small-to-medium businesses – 64 per cent – have been
affected by late payments, with almost a quarter of business
owners struggling to pay themselves and 15 per cent struggling
to pay staff,” Rajic says.
A$357
A$282
Millennials
Gen X
A$257
A$173
Gen Z
Baby boomers
Read the report
Read the report
intheblack.cpaaustralia.com.au 9
