New Respect@Work legislation introduced
On 27 September 2022, the Albanese Government introduced the Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022 (Cth) (the Bill) into Parliament. If passed, the Bill would implement further recommendations from Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins’ report, Respect@Work: National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces (Respect@Work Report) namely: making it unlawful […]
ReadmoreUpdate on Retail Leases Amendment Regulations 2022 – Important reminder of a Landlord’s disclosure obligations
On 27 September 2022 the Retail Leases Amendment Regulations 2022 (Vic) (Amendment) was passed by the Victorian Parliament and comes into effect on 1 December 2022. The Amendment makes changes to the Retail Leases Regulations 2013 (Vic) (Regulations), which brings the prescribed form Landlord disclosure statements contained within the Regulations into line with the 2020 […]
ReadmoreTo post, or not to post? Out-of-hours social media activity for public service employees and employers
Introduction Social media is a fundamental tool used in individuals’ personal and professional lives. Considering the level of social interaction on online platforms, it is unsurprising that there has been an increase in employee disciplinary action, including dismissals, as a result of conduct on social media. What is surprising is that many employers still do […]
ReadmoreUnions seeking to expand into the real estate industry
There has been a recent push in NSW by the United Services Union (USU) and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) to expand into the real estate industry – an industry that has traditionally seen low levels of union activities. Spokespersons from both unions have raised concerns about harassment and unsafe practices within […]
ReadmoreBuy Now Pay Later: Industry awaiting Issues Paper with bated breath
For better or worse, the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry has continued to make headlines since our last report. The sector’s meteoric rise has been tempered in recent months by a combination of market saturation, broader macroeconomic factors, and, most recently, a new political climate. The new Labor Government has made clear its intentions […]
ReadmoreFinancial Accountability Regime – Comparing the 2021 and 2022 Bills
The Federal Government introduced the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022 (Cth) (FAR 2022) on 8 September 2022. The Bill reintroduces the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2021 (Cth) (FAR 2021), which lapsed with the calling of the federal election in April 2022. The Financial Accountability Regime (FAR) will be the most consequential change to the financial […]
ReadmoreThe 2022 NCC – Mandating energy efficient homes
The National Construction Code (NCC) 2022 will be available from 1 October 2022, with a raft of new performance requirements designed to improve liveability and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. This update focuses on the new energy efficiency requirements in the NCC 2022. The proposed changes to NCC 2022 to address energy wastage are […]
ReadmoreThe status of ‘gig economy’ workers: An update on the Deliveroo case and further changes on the horizon
In a major decision for the gig economy, the Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission has quashed a decision that a Deliveroo delivery driver was an employee, finding that there was no employment relationship and therefore the driver was not a person protected from unfair dismissal (Deliveroo Australia Pty Ltd v Diego Franco [2022] […]
ReadmoreJobs and Skills Summit 2022 – What employers need to know
As promised in its election campaign, the Albanese Government held its Jobs and Skills Summit at Parliament House in Canberra on 1–2 September 2022. The aim of the Summit was to bring stakeholders together to work on challenges and opportunities facing the Australian labour market and economy. A set of outcomes have been announced following […]
ReadmoreFMCG Express | September 2022 Edition
In the latest edition of FMCG Express, Partner Breanna Davies and the Gadens team bring you the latest developments in the consumer, retail and hospitality sectors in Australia. In this issue, our team delves into the issues surrounding positive obligations to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace; risks and solutions when dealing with commercial contracts […]
ReadmoreRising and falling in 2022 – Contractual responses to cost increases in construction contracts
A lot has happened in 2022 to keep the construction sector on its toes. An ongoing pandemic, floods and sustained wet weather across the Eastern seaboard, supply chain disruption, a change of federal government, war in Ukraine, high profile insolvencies (in particular the residential construction sector), tight labour markets and last, but definitely not least, […]
ReadmoreThe Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022 Released Yesterday!
Yesterday, the Federal Government introduced the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2022 (Cth). The Bill reintroduces the Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2021 (Cth), which was introduced by the previous Government but lapsed with the calling of the federal election in April. The new Bill is identical to the previous iteration (with the exception of new commencement […]
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