NSW WorkCover reform a matter of urgency, claims Ai Group
14 June, 2012Australian Industry Group NSW Director Mark Goodsell has released a statement indicating the urgent need for reform of the NSW WorkCover scheme.
Safe Work Australia releases draft Codes of Practice
12 June, 2012Safe 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.
New workplace regulator for the construction industry
01 June, 2012Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC), the new regulator of workplace laws in the building and construction industry, begins operations today. FWBC was created by the Fair Work (Building) Act 2012 (FW Building Act). The agency is headed by the Acting Chief Executive, Leigh Johns.
Stronger accountability for employer groups and unions
31 May, 2012All registered employer associations and unions will be subject to tougher financial and accountability obligations, and Fair Work Australia will have enhanced investigation powers, under legislation introduced into federal parliament today.
Casting a green eye on safety
01 May, 2012There is little argument that in today’s workplace significant attention has been given to improving the environmental footprint created by work activity and sites.
Outcome of Fair Work appeal could change onsite drug testing
19 April, 2012The outcome of an appeal against a controversial Fair Work Australia (FWA) ruling could determine whether employers in Australia’s resource industry will be restricted in their ability to administer appropriate on-site drug and alcohol testing procedures, according to national employer group AMMA.
Ai Group lodges appeal against Workpac decision - meaning of ‘service’ under the Fair Work Act
05 April, 2012The Australian Industry Group has filed an appeal against the decision of Commissioner McDonald of Fair Work Australia in the case Bambach v WorkPac. The appeal concerns the meaning of ‘service’ and ‘continuous service’ under the Fair Work Act.
Public comment period for Work Health and Safety Codes of Practice closes 22 June
03 April, 2012Interested Australians are encouraged to have their say on five new work health and safety model Codes of Practice that have been released for a 12-week public comment period.
Australians want workplace laws that provide secure jobs, not greater power for employers: survey
23 February, 2012In its submission to the review of the Fair Work Act, the ACTU proposes reforms, within the framework of the existing legislation, to improve the rights to collective bargaining and the safety net for insecure workers. Any further changes to workplace laws should improve job security, rights and protections for the millions of people in insecure work, not hand more power to employers.
Industry welcomes productivity commission inquiry into superannuation default funds
24 January, 2012Australian Industry Group CEO Heather Ridout has welcomed the announcement of a Productivity Commission Inquiry into superannuation default funds in modern awards.
Foster carers won't be disadvantaged by OHS laws
20 January, 2012The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Financial Services and Superannuation, Bill Shorten, MP, has revealed that harmonised OHS laws will not cover social or domestic arrangements.
Key employment contract clauses prove their utility
24 October, 2011 by Joe CatanzaritiThe recent Federal Court decision in Haros v Linfox [2011] FCA 699 has dismissed a claim by a former executive that Linfox had misled him during the recruitment process, both in the nature of his role with the company and the security of his employment.
Victoria calls for delay to national OHS harmonisation
05 October, 2011The Victorian Government has called for a delay to national Occupational Health and Safety harmonisation.
Changes to licence requirements for loadshifting machines
14 September, 2011From 30 September 2011, operators of loadshifting machines will no longer need a certificate of competency to operate some loadshifting equiment.
Are flexible working arrangements under threat?
30 August, 2011 by Kathryn Bion, Kate Jenkins and Harold Downes, FreehillsMost of us have worked from home at one point or another. With developments in technology, we can perform work at home, at the gym, at the soccer ground, from the car, from bed. And one of the joys of working from home or remotely is that there is no strict dress code: you can work in pyjamas, gym gear, jeans, fluffy socks - or can you?
