Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan and Minister for Employment Participation Kate Ellis recently met with Members and Senators in Canberra to promote the benefits of mature-age workforce participation. [ + ]

The Fair Work Ombudsman has launched a prosecution against the operator of a Brisbane beauty and photography business, alleging he was involved in sham contracting activity and the underpayment of more than $8000 to seven employees. [ + ]

PaQS (People and Quality Solutions) has launched a new online safety course tailored to the transport sector. The course has evolved from the original, nationally recognised, competency-based course in Advanced Safety Awareness (ASA), has a psychological approach, is available online and has been designed to fit into the transport sector’s safety induction programs. [ + ]

More than 2000 Australian workers in NSW, Victoria and Queensland who have lost their jobs at Hastie Group will have expedited access to assistance for unpaid entitlements following the collapse of the companies. [ + ]

Australian Industry Group NSW Director Mark Goodsell has released a statement indicating the urgent need for reform of the NSW WorkCover scheme. [ + ]

More than three-quarters (77%) of employees would consider leaving their organisation if they weren’t recognised for their contribution, and one in four are already actively seeking a new job or intend to in the next three months, according to employee engagement specialists RedBalloon for Corporate. [ + ]

A 34-year-old labourer has been convicted and fined at the Wodonga Magistrates’ Court after shooting an apprentice with a nail gun, fracturing his arm. [ + ]

Schools and community groups in the mining areas of the Hunter, Central Coast and North West of the state can now apply for their share of $150,000 in the new Mine Safety Advisory Council (MSAC) grants program. The MSAC aims to increase awareness of health and safety issues in mining communities with grants of up to $10,000 each available to schools and community groups. [ + ]

Maritime workers in Darwin are upgrading their skills while on the job, as a result of the Gillard government’s $700 million National Workforce Development Fund. [ + ]

The European CRISMA project, coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, is preparing for disasters by developing a planning and decision-support tool to help authorities, responders, communities and private parties to prioritise the most important measures for saving lives and mitigating the effects of the crisis. [ + ]

The Australian Government’s decision to work with the resource industry to help more Australians secure a job in mining has been welcomed by peak resource industry employer group AMMA. [ + ]

The WA Work Safety Awards are currently open for for submissions from individuals, groups and organisations. The closing date for submission of entries is 6 July 2012. [ + ]

Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips has launched a new year-long WorkCover campaign targeting musculoskeletal injuries. “Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common workplace injury, costing nearly $1 billion a year in medical costs, wages and other expenses,” Rich-Phillips said. [ + ]

Safe Work Australia has released six draft model work health and safety Codes of Practice and two guides for public comment. The public comment period for these Codes of Practice closes on 24 August 2012. [ + ]

Social demographer Bernard Salt and the Hon Peter Collier, Minister for Training and Workforce Development in Western Australia, will join delegates to discuss Australia’s skills needs at an upcoming summit. ‘Skilling Australia: Challenges and Opportunities Towards 2020’ will take place on 30 August 2012, at the Parmelia Hilton, Perth. [ + ]