Expertise
Pass the Parcel – Battle of the Standard-Form Contract

Pass the Parcel – Battle of the Standard-Form Contract

By Peter Karcher and Julian Pipolo In an ideal world, all contracts take the form of a single document signed by all parties concerned with little fuss. If a dispute ever arises, the parties could simply revert back to that initial document and figure out what they...

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Navigating the new industrial manslaughter laws

Navigating the new industrial manslaughter laws

The new and very serious offence of “Industrial Manslaughter” was introduced to Queensland on 23 October 2017, when the Queensland Parliament passed the Work Health and Safety and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (“Act”). The Act represents the Palaszczuk...

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New reforms to the Fair Work Act

New reforms to the Fair Work Act

The Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Act 2017 (Cth) (‘the Act’) makes significant changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). These legislative changes apply to all employers, companies and employees covered by the Fair Work Act, including certain...

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You shall have a pass! FW Act permits required

You shall have a pass! FW Act permits required

It has been confirmed that an employer may require a union official to possess an entry permit under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act) even when the official has purportedly been invited on site by a safety representative. On 17 November 2017, the High Court...

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Does it pay to be a casual?

Does it pay to be a casual?

The Federal Circuit Court has found that truck driver, (Mr. Skene) engaged on a casual basis under an enterprise agreement and who worked regular rosters, was entitled to annual leave under Part 2-2 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act). The finding of an entitlement to...

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Enterprise agreements – the end of an era?

Enterprise agreements – the end of an era?

Are enterprise agreements on the way out? The Fair Work Commission’s Annual Report 2016-17 highlighted: Fewer businesses are making enterprise agreements; The FWC are approving fewer enterprise agreements; The number of enterprise agreement applications being...

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