ARTICLES
Unfair Dismissal as Employer Incorrectly Interpreted JobKeeper Rules
The Fair Work Commission have upheld an unfair dismissal claim for a long-standing casual employee, emphasising that a failure to understand JobKeeper rules is not an excuse to wrongfully terminate an employee. The employee was eligible for JobKeeper and was working...
read moreRegister Online for Land Tax Now
Land tax in New South Wales is calculated at the end of each calendar year, which means eligible landowners must register with Revenue NSW now. Land tax is payable where the combined value of all taxable land, as assessed by the Valuer General, meets the threshold set...
read moreAgriculture in the NSW Budget 2020-21
The State government have stated their commitment to supporting the agricultural sector in the long road to recovery from droughts, floods, and bushfires with the announcement of the 2020-21 budget. There is a focus on biosecurity, as improved conditions for farming...
read moreBroadening the Scope of the Consumer Guarantees
The Federal government recently passed changes to the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), which broaden the scope of the Consumer Guarantees. The Consumer Guarantees are automatic rights applicable to ‘consumers’ as defined in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth)....
read moreDamages Awarded to Employee Dismissed for Exercising a ‘Workplace Right’
In a landmark decision the Federal Court of Australia awarded a former employee $5.2 million in damages, in part due to breaches of the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘the Act’). The applicant brought a claim against his employer...
read moreRestrictions on FWC Power to Reduce Redundancy Entitlements
The Full Bench of the Fair Work Commission (FWC) have clarified that the FWC has no power to reduce redundancy entitlements provided for in industry-specific redundancy schemes under modern awards. Section 120 of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (‘the Act’) grants the FWC...
read morePositive Outlook for NSW Winter Harvest
Forecasters have expressed great optimism as the Winter crop harvest commences in New South Wales. It is predicted that Australia’s overall production will increase by 60% compared with last year. Remarkably, the Winter crop production in New South Wales is expected...
read moreLegislative Reform on Small Business Insolvency
The Federal Government have released draft legislation which reforms small business insolvency practices. The bill has been drafted in anticipation of a wave of insolvencies in 2021 as temporary relief measures brought in during the COVID-19 pandemic come to an end....
read moreFederal Court Rules on Long-Standing Cattle Genetics Patent Dispute
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) in relation to a patent lodged by US companies Branhaven LLC and SelecTraits Genomics LLC. The Court allowed the companies to proceed with their patent, however under a narrower scope. It...
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