Amendments to Fair Work Act to create new compliance issues for the franchising sector

Following a number of recent high profile cases involving franchisees breaching their obligations as employers, the Government introduced the Fair Work (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017. The Bill proposes amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) to: introduce increasing civil penalty provisions of up to 600 penalty units ($108,000) for individuals or 3,000 penalty […]

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ACCC’s 2017 Enforcement Priorities – What to Expect

On 24 February 2017, the ACCC’s Chairman, Mr Rod Sims, launched the 2017 ACCC Compliance and Enforcement Policy and announced the ACCC’s enforcement priorities for 2017. It certainly looks like being a busy year for the ACCC, with enforcement activities foreshadowed in a number of areas. Set out below are the key areas identified in […]

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Back-up winners

Here is an overview for drawing back-up winners in trade promotions. Drawn after you draw the actual winner, you may draw several back-up winners. For full size image click here.

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Cyber security: are you ready for the new mandatory data breach notification law?

The Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Bill 2016 was passed by the Australian parliament on 13 February 2017. Assuming that it receives royal assent within the coming days, it will become an Act (the Amendment Act). The key amendments set out in the Amendment Act are likely to take effect 12 months after that, to […]

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Fun quiz: how to handle online reviews by your customers

Recently the ACCC commenced court proceedings against Meriton Property Services Pty Ltd for misleading or deceptive conduct. Meriton provides serviced apartment accommodation to its customers. Meriton participates in the “Review Express” program operated by TripAdvisor. Meriton provides consenting customers’ email addresses to TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor then emails the customers and invites them to review Meriton’s services […]

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Instant win promotions

Instant win promotions are usually games of chance in Australia. If they are a game of chance, permits are needed in some Australian states and territories. To see full size image click here

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Copying Building Plans – Cost Savings…or Costly Mistake?

A recent Federal Court decision1 serves as a reminder that copying building plans can be an infringement of copyright, which may attract significant financial imposts on both the landowner and the builder. Background Mr and Mrs Mistry (Mistrys) and building designer, Henley Arch Pty Ltd (Henley) were in discussions to design and build the “Amalfi […]

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More regulatory changes on the way for embedded networks

In recent action by the Australian Energy Regulator, several shopping centres and retirement villages were issued with infringement notices for not selling electricity in a manner required by the National Energy Retail Law. This is a timely reminder for operators of embedded networks to familiarise themselves with their regulatory obligations and also to be aware […]

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Winner publication requirements in trade promotions

The when, where and why of winner publication requirements for trade promotions in all Australian jurisdictions. Click here to view full size pdf.

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Notifying winners

There are a number of rules when it comes to notifying winners of trade promotion competitions, this reference clearly outlines them. Click here to view full size pdf.

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