APCO launches weekly sustainability webinar series

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has launched a new sustainability webinar series to help industry professionals stay connected. The weekly...

The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation has launched a new sustainability webinar series to help industry professionals stay connected. The weekly APCO Community Meeting events are designed to bring together sustainability experts from across the business, government and environmental communities to explore a range of sustainability ideas. These include packaging specific...

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Beyond JobKeeper: Alternative flexibility options in the coronavirus epoch

By Alex Millman and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal Many of our readers will doubtless be aware, by virtue of the...

By Alex Millman and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal Many of our readers will doubtless be aware, by virtue of the many, many circulars issued in recent weeks, of the temporary amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) which allow employers greater flexibility in the engagement of employees who are...

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Message from the CEO: 28 April 2020

We are almost at the end of the first full month of lockdown restrictions. The impact that COVID-19 has...

We are almost at the end of the first full month of lockdown restrictions. The impact that COVID-19 has had on the retail sector cannot be overstated, even businesses that have been able to stay open have suffered the ripple effects to the economy. Last week the Australian Bureau of...

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Can COVID-19 be transferred through food and packaging? We have the facts.

People are, rightfully so, asking about how coronavirus can be transmitted, and the focus is now on food and...

People are, rightfully so, asking about how coronavirus can be transmitted, and the focus is now on food and food packaging. Can buying groceries or getting takeaway pose a risk? According to the World Health Organization, as well as the Australian and New Zealand governments, there is no risk of...

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Last Chance: Have Your Say on the QLD Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan

As part of the "Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan," the Queensland Government is introducing legislation that will allow specific single-use...

As part of the "Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan," the Queensland Government is introducing legislation that will allow specific single-use plastic products to be banned by 1 July 2021, starting with straws, cutlery, plates and stirrers. The Queensland Government is currently seeking feedback on the proposed ban through an online survey...

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McDonald’s announces country-of-origin labelling

McDonald's Australia have announced that they will display the country of origin of the ingredients in their products. From 1...

McDonald's Australia have announced that they will display the country of origin of the ingredients in their products. From 1 July 2018, the adoption of the country of origin food labelling system was mandatory for most foods sold in retail stores, markets and vending machines, whether packaged or unpackaged. The Information...

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Business groups call on banks to further help struggling business

Leading business groups across Australia have called on the major banks to extend further support to struggling businesses during...

Leading business groups across Australia have called on the major banks to extend further support to struggling businesses during the Covid-19 crisis. Industry associations spanning the business community acknowledged that lending institutions have already provided assistance, however, more substantial help is needed to keep the economy moving during the current...

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March retail figures a giant jump before a massive fall

The National Retail Association (NRA) has said that while today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) preliminary retail trade figures...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has said that while today’s Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) preliminary retail trade figures for March represent the largest jump in sales on record, it will be followed by a massive fall in turnover from April onwards. The preliminary figures show an 8.2 per cent...

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Message from the CEO: 21 April 2020

Following the National Code of Conduct for retail leasing unveiled by the National Cabinet, various state governments have begun...

Following the National Code of Conduct for retail leasing unveiled by the National Cabinet, various state governments have begun rolling out their respective packages. As with every policy response to COVID-19, it is incredibly important that state governments get these laws right. That’s why we have advocated to all tiers...

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Fair Work Commission hands down first COVID-19 related redundancy pay decisions

By Calum Woods and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal The Fair Work Commission has set the benchmark for employers seeking to...

By Calum Woods and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal The Fair Work Commission has set the benchmark for employers seeking to reduce the amount of redundancy pay payable to employees who were made redundant due to a downturn in business as a result of COVID-19. Earlier this month, the FWC heard an...

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NSW Government protecting retail workers through $5000 fines

There is no excuse for abuse, yet we are still seeing essential workers abused by customers. Spitting and coughing...

There is no excuse for abuse, yet we are still seeing essential workers abused by customers. Spitting and coughing on shop assistants, public transport staff and police has been on the rise, and the NSW Government has said “enough is enough”. $5000 on the spot fines will be handed...

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Reminder for ANZAC Day trading hours, SA treasurer announces exemptions

The Hon. Rob Lucas, MLC, has announced an exemption to coronavirus trading hours, up to and including Tuesday 19th...

The Hon. Rob Lucas, MLC, has announced an exemption to coronavirus trading hours, up to and including Tuesday 19th May 2020. The exemption applies to non-exempt shops anThe exemption applies to non-exempt shops and essential services in the Greater Adelaide Shopping District, excluding car and boat dealerships. Contact us!d...

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Retailers welcome QLD jobs program to help jobseekers

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the unveiling of an initiative by the Queensland Government to help people...

The National Retail Association (NRA) has welcomed the unveiling of an initiative by the Queensland Government to help people who lost their job due to COVID-19 find employment. The new Jobs Finder Queensland web portal will enable jobseekers to provide information regarding their skills and work experience to match them...

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Message from the CEO: 14 April 2020

As the Coronavirus lockdown continues, last week provided further developments regarding the retail sector. Following extensive collaboration with numerous...

As the Coronavirus lockdown continues, last week provided further developments regarding the retail sector. Following extensive collaboration with numerous industry groups, including the NRA, the Prime Minister announced the national tenancy framework. Overall, we believe it strikes a sensible balance between the interests of tenants and landlords and would maximise...

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Funding injected into mental health and family services as hotline calls spike

Telehealth, mental health and family services will receive a $1.1 billion stimulus in the face of the coronavirus pandemic....

Telehealth, mental health and family services will receive a $1.1 billion stimulus in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. This comes at a time where hundreds of thousands of Australians have lost their jobs, feel anxious about self-isolation or even more horrifically, are quarantined with their abuser. Mental health services...

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Retailers welcome national tenancy framework

The National Retail Association has today welcomed the national tenancy framework announced by the Prime Minister, saying it strikes...

The National Retail Association has today welcomed the national tenancy framework announced by the Prime Minister, saying it strikes a sensible balance between the interests of tenants and landlords and would maximise the chances of small business survival. Under the framework, businesses suffering a major downturn will be eligible to...

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