Sky News Australia - Social Business

Social Business discusses the latest news in not-for-profit activity, corporate responsibility, philanthropy and volunteering. In conjunction with the Centre for Social Impact, this monthly program focuses on key issues around social entrepreneurship, public and social innovation and the emergence of new social businesses.

It is co-hosted Business Channel presenter Brooke Corte and Dr Peter Shergold, the Macquarie Group Foundation Professor at the Centre for Social Impact. Dr Shergold was a CEO in the Australian Public Service for two decades and for five years from February 2003, was Australia's most senior public administrator, serving as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Dr Shergold has significant Board experience in the public, private and 'third' sectors. He is Chair of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, a non-executive Director of AMP Ltd (listed), Corrs Chambers Westgarth (non-listed) and is the Chairperson of a small venture capital start-up, QuintessenceLabs. He is also Chair of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation and a Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence and the Sir John Monash Foundation.

More Information

For more information about the news and information seen in the program you can also visit csi.edu.au.

Social Business, (seg 1) February

News and Reports:
Discussion on Australia Day Honours, specifically looking at business leaders celebrated for their wider commitment to social responsibility. Peter Shergold also discusses the recently released 2012 Government Services report and the implications of the wage increases for community organisations recently announced by Fair Work Australia. There is also a push to establish an Indigenous Community Development Corporation - Peter Shergold discusses the move to give Native Title payments tax exempt status.
Social Business, (seg 2) February

Anne Robinson, Deputy Chair of the Not-For-Profit Sector Reform Council
Anne Robinson speaks about the Council's role as the not-for-profit sector's voice and the bold social inclusion agenda. She talks through the framework and language provided by the National Compact to enable a structure, principles and discourse around reform and the future of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission as a one-stop-shop regulator.
Social Business, (seg 3) February

Infoxchange Australia: Andrew Mahar, Founding Executive Director
Infoxchange Australia is a not-for-profit community organisation that aims to create social equality and opportunity by empowering people through access to information technology and enabling the exchange of information and ideas. They are based in Melbourne and employ over 70 people. Their Founding Executive Director talks through Infoxchange's beginnings, how it aims to solve social problems and how it is funded.
Social Business, (seg 1) January

News and Reports:
Reflection on charitable donations for 2011 - not only in Australia, but in the UK and the United States according to Fenton and Globescan's 2011 Social Good Survey. Other news topics include Eftpos' Press for Good campaign, which raised $1m for the Salvation Army. A Harvard Business School study of 180 companies over 18 years reveals 'high sustainability companies' perform better than 'low sustainability' companies. Speculation on likely Australian of the Year candidates.
Social Business, (seg 2) January

Ian Learmonth, Director of Social Finance, Social Ventures Australia (SVA):
Discussion of social finance in Australia and clarification on what is social finance and what is impact investing. Other topics include: climate for investment in social enterprise, Australian tax and regulation, the NSW social benefit bonds pilot and Good Start early learning centres.
Social Business, (seg 3) January

Muhammad Yunus, Founder of Grameen Bank and Nobel Prizewinner:
Pioneer of microfinance and microcredit, with a specific focus on providing credit to women entrepreneurs. Yunus' social business model and the success and international recognition of the Grameen Bank have inspired a global movement of microcredit, social banking and encouraged enterprise in disadvantaged communities.
Social Business, (seg 4) January

David Rickards, Managing Director, Social Enterprise Finance (SEFA) Australia:
Discussion on lending practices to social businesses and social enterprises, the divide between markets and communities, and reflection on the mutual aid and self-help businesses in the 19th Century. Topics also covered are government stimulus required to build enterprise and social franchising.
Social Business, (seg 1) December

News and Reports:
Topics include the recent Cabinet reshuffle by the Gillard government and the impact on the community sector. Also discussed are the government's report card on social inclusion achievements, a report on volunteering and research by Cavill & Co reveal consumers would switch brands if the brand in question supported a charity.
Social Business, (seg 2) December

Social Business spotlight - Oxfam:
Oxfam has a global commitment to end pverty and injustice. They aim to achieve this mission through campaigning and development, which includes a vast retail network dedicated to promoting fair trade and ethically sourced products. Oxfam's Executive Director, Andrew Hewett, speaks to Social Business about the trends on ethical Christmas shopping from the charity's central retail operations in South Australia.
Social Business, (seg 3) December

A Christmas Conscience:
Margy Osmond, CEO, Australian National Retailers Association discusses the Christmas ANRA survey. The survey has revealed an interesting gender split in Christmas giving trends. She also talks about ethical consumers, ethical retailers and online shopping. The ANRA represents some of the biggest names in retail, with members that collectively employ around half a million people and account for $100 billion in retail turnover. The ANRA survey is conducted annually.
Social Business, (seg 4) December

Christmas Appeal:
Next year, The Smith Family will celebrate its 90th anniversary. The charity's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa O'Brien, talks about The Smith Family's long history of running Christmas appeals, including the Toy and Book Appeal. She discusses who is giving, how much and who benefits from the appeals, as well as providing an overview for The Smith Family's goals in 2012.