Publications (608)
Sexual Harassment - will your policy and procedures withstand challenge?
Friday, 24 May 2013The recent decision of the Federal Court in Richardson v Oracle Corporation Australia Pty Ltd1,2 has provided employers with important guidance on what "reasonable steps" they should take to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers who take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace may have a defence to a sexual harassment claim and may not be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees under various anti-discrimination legislation.
Ford announces Complete Shut-down of Local Manufacturing from October 2016
Friday, 24 May 2013Ford has this morning announced that it will shut down all manufacturing operations in Australia from October 2016. This will see the closure of its plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows. Ford CEO Bob Graziano announced that 1200 jobs will be made redundant at that time, with 650 jobs to go from the Broadmeadows plant and 510 from the Geelong plant. AMWU Assistant State Secretary Leigh Deihm estimated this morning that jobs losses could be as high as 1600. Production of the Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory models will continue until October 2016, with the planned update of the Falcon and Territory models to go ahead in 2014. The Falcon nameplate will be retired.
Alcohol and Planning - VCAT rules on the scope of the relevant planning considerations in the exercise of discretion under clause 52.27
Thursday, 23 May 2013Summary of Hunt Club Commercial Pty Ltd v Casey CC (Red Dot) [2013] VCAT 725
On 20 May 2013, Deputy President Mark Dwyer of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal ("Tribunal") found that the scope of relevant considerations under the state-wide clause 52.27 (Licenced Premises) is not restricted solely to impacts which manifest themselves into an amenity impact on the surrounding area.
Australian Industry Participation requirements to be extended to major private sector projects
Wednesday, 22 May 2013The Australian Jobs Bill 2013 (Bill) was introduced into the House of Representatives on 15 May 2013, to implement the Government's "A Plan for Australian Jobs".
Contracting Out Of Proportionate Liability
Wednesday, 22 May 2013Are clauses expressly referencing the Civil Liability Act necessary to exclude the application of the proportionate liability legislation?
Important changes to Commonwealth governance requirements on the way: the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Bill 2013
Tuesday, 21 May 2013The Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Bill 2013 (Cth) (Bill) was introduced into Parliament on Thursday last week. If passed, the Bill will transform the existing Commonwealth financial, governance and accountability framework. Most of the changes would be likely to commence from 1 July 2014.
Changes to Terms of Reference for CSIRO Independent Investigator for Allegations of Workplace Bullying and Other Unreasonable Behaviour
Monday, 20 May 2013Emeritus Professor Dennis Pearce AO is the independent investigator receiving submissions about workplace bullying and other unreasonable behaviour by both current and former CSIRO staff members and affiliates. Submissions can be made until 7 June 2013.
QLD Commercial Arbitration Act proclaimed
Friday, 17 May 2013On 17 May 2013 the Governor of Queensland proclaimed Queensland's Commercial Arbitration Act and it has (finally) come into effect in Queensland.
Privacy Act Reforms: Privacy Compliance Package now available
Tuesday, 14 May 2013Australian business will soon have to comply with the largest reforms to the Privacy Act 1998 (Cth) (Privacy Act) in over a decade. The Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act 2012 (Cth) was passed on 27 November 2012 and will commence on 12 March 2014. Affected businesses must be compliant by that date.