Working Hard or Hardly Working at Home? – Unfair Dismissal Claim Falls Short
Working Hard or Hardly Working at Home? – Unfair Dismissal Claim Falls Short With the work environment progressively adopting a hybrid approach, it is crucial that employers recognise that employee responsibilities remain consistent both when working remotely and in the [...]
Australia-UK FTA unleashes exciting opportunities for Australian businesses
The highly anticipated Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA) came into force on 31 May 2023. [1] The A-UK FTA is one of the most comprehensive and innovative free trade agreements Australia has signed to date, opening up a [...]
Increase in High Income Threshold
Unfair Dismissal Employers should be aware of certain changes regarding the unfair dismissal provisions. For the unfair dismissal provisions to apply, assuming the employee has completed the minimum period of employment, the employee must: Earn less than the high-income threshold; [...]
Amendments to the FWA regarding Unpaid Parental Leave, Superannuation and Employee Deductions
Following the significant changes the Labor government enacted through the Secure Jobs Better Pay amendments to the Fair Work Act, employers should be aware of further changes to the Act. On 22 June, a Bill titled the Fair Work Legislation [...]
HR Manager held liable and fined for breach of the Fair Work Act
In United Workers' Union v Bervar Pty Ltd [2022] FedCFamC2G 418, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (‘the court’) determined that a HR Manager was personally liable for his direct involvement in the Employer’s adverse action against an employee. [...]
From Stamp Duty to Tax: Major reform to stamp duty following the 2023-24 Victorian State Budget
On Tuesday 23 May 2023 the Victorian Treasurer, Tim Pallas, delivered the 2023-24 State Budget announcing a landmark reform to abolish stamp duty for commercial and industrial properties and introduce a new annual property tax. These changes are expected to [...]
Heavier Penalties and Stricter Laws Behind the Counter: An Update on New Child Employment Laws
Amidst the crackdown by the Victorian Child Employment Watchdog of several employers in respect for their breaches of child employment laws, employers should be aware of new child employment changes being introduced in Victoria on the 1st July 2023. The [...]
Changes to Flexible Working Arrangements take effect on 6 June 2023
Part of the substantial industrial relations reforms which were enacted by the Federal Parliament last December include changes to the rules around flexible working arrangements The Fair Work Act already had provisions that allow an employee to request a change to [...]
Private Ancillary Funds
In May or June as we near the end of the financial year we are commonly asked to establish private ancillary funds for clients. A private ancillary fund is a private philanthropic vehicle typically established and operated by a high [...]
Pointon Partners Seminar: Discretionary trusts now not so discretionary Landmark Victoria Court of Appeal case
Please join us where our Partner Michael Bishop and Senior Lawyer Jess Tomlinson discuss the case Owies v JJ Nominees Pty ltd [2022] VSCA 142 which dealt with: obligations on a trustee to inform itself as to the needs of beneficiaries; and [...]