ARTICLES

In a recent unfair dismissal decision the Fair Work Commission (FWC) highlighted the importance of knowing the difference between misconduct and poor performance. Steven Zirilli v StarTrack Express Pty Limited 2019 involved a Bulk Fleet Supervisor who was dismissed...

The Federal Government has recently introduced the Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019, which targets animal activists who use a carriage service to incite trespass, property damage or theft on agricultural land. Some doubt the effectiveness of...

Employers should be wary of incorrectly classing a worker as an independent contractor and treating them accordingly, when in fact they are an employee of the company. Decisions of various Courts, tribunals and the Fair Work Ombudsman demonstrate a high bar to reach...

The market for Australian beef exports is expected to continue to grow, despite ongoing challenges. Whilst the breeding herd has decreased significantly due to the drought, data from 2018-19 demonstrated a third successive year of growth with 1.16 million tonnes of...

First ranking mortgagees often assume that their interest is adequately protected. However it is important to be aware of potential issues that may be arise when subsequent interests are registered, without the consent of the first mortgagee or a proper priority...

Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) are finalising a strategic development plan for the next 3 years, which places a strong emphasis on traceability. The AWI is acting on what they have identified as a macro-consumer trend towards greater interest in the supply chain of...

A Melbourne based gardener has commenced a lawsuit against German company Bayer, claiming that its product Roundup is responsible for his development of cancer. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, which is the most commonly used pesticide worldwide. It is...

Significant changes are taking place surrounding legal protections for whistleblowers in corporations. The new Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Whistle Protections) Act 2019 (Cth) expands protections by requiring that certain companies have a compliant whistleblower...

The new national minimum wage comes into force on Monday 1 July. Earlier this year the Fair Work Commission (FWC) determined that the minimum wage is to increase by 3 per cent. This is a lower level than last year, when the FWC set a 3.5 per cent increase. The FWC...