Recent news
Latest items of recent news relevant to Australia as reported in our fortnightly newswire ‘Dernières nouvelles’.
Australia: Religious discrimination bill introduced to parliament
A Religious Discrimination Bill is now before the Canberra Parliament but it remains uncertain what shape it will finally take …
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Australia: Public support for phasing out the sale of cigarettes
Employers that currently struggle to apply a workplace smoking ban may look with envy at Australia’s likely solution to this highly unhealthy habit …
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Australia: Move to make Christmas Day a public holiday in SA (2021)
A disagreement in South Australia’s lower house of Parliament is likely to mean that those working on Christmas day this year will not be paid “penalty” (premium) rates …
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Australia: Can an employee refuse to provide a urine sample?
Is it lawful for an employer to insist on a urine sample when undertaking workplace drug and alcohol screening? Back in 2012, “Fair Work Australia” determined, on appeal, in respect to the collective agreement for Endeavour Energy Enterprise that an employer had no right to insist on the use of urine testing over that via an oral swab, even though the latter method was less reliable at the time …
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Australia: Unemployment and participation (September 2021)
Is the great resignation possibly now affecting the Australian labour force? In the September 2021, a further 129,100 people left the active labour force, following a loss of 168,100 recorded in August 2021 …
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Australia: Qantas to recall stood down workers
The Airline Qantas plans to bring back “stood down” staff, including those from Jetstar …
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Australia: Industrial relations Bill introduced to Parliament of Western Australia
The Parliament of Western Australia is considering a Bill that would make Easter Sunday a designated public holiday …
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Australia: Employer liable to pay workers compensation for COVID-19 death of employee
In possibly the first case of its kind, the Personal Injury Commission in New South Wales has ruled that an employer was liable for their employee contracting COVID-19 – that led to his death …
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Australia: Director identification numbers begin from November 2021
All Directors of companies must now obtain a “Director Identification Number” …
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Australia: Fair Work Commission upholds sacking of worker who refused mandatory vaccine
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has upheld a decision at first instance that an employer was justified in dismissing an employee who refused vaccination against influenza …
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Australia: Enterprise bargaining decline confirms reform needed
A long-term decline is taking place in the number of enterprise agreements …
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Australia: “Wellbeing day” leave
Due to mental health concerns, many law firms are giving staff “wellbeing day” leave periods to help them deal with the stress they have been experiencing …
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Australia: Post-employment restraints of trade enforceable to protect confidential information
A major subsidiary of the company Peninsular Group, Employsure Australia, has won a court battle which gives them the right to prevent departing employees working for a rival or exploiting confidential company information …
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Australia: E-cigarette users now need a doctor’s prescription
The purchase of all tobacco-based vaping products without prescription is now unlawful across Australia …
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Australia: Fair Work Act changes to casual employment
Changes to the Fair Work Act relating to the facility to convert to permanent employment after 12 months of casual employment have just come into force …
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