Employers can compel medical assessment

by Sid Sidhu and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Full Court affirms employer’s right to compel medical assessment Grant v BHP Coal...

by Sid Sidhu and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Full Court affirms employer’s right to compel medical assessment Grant v BHP Coal Pty Ltd FCAFC 42 (10 March 2017) The Full Federal Court has confirmed that employers have the right to dismiss an employee should they refuse to attend a medical appointment...

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More than 1500 Queenslanders assisted Back to Work

The Queensland Government’s assistance program for regional Queensland employers to take on new staff has put more than 1500...

The Queensland Government’s assistance program for regional Queensland employers to take on new staff has put more than 1500 staff 'Back to Work'. The $100 million Back to Work program has already assisted 1557 Queenslanders into jobs in the state’s regions, with another 300 applications pending assessment. Significantly, 541 of those...

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Message from the CEO: 20 March 2017

This week, the Federal Opposition has indicated it will move a private members bill to retrospectively legislate against any...

This week, the Federal Opposition has indicated it will move a private members bill to retrospectively legislate against any cuts to penalty rates, after the independent Fair Work Commission’s ruling of a reduction in five out of the 122 modern awards. While it was an entirely independent decision, made by...

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Fast food safety – now even faster!

We are pleased to announce that our new online Food Safety training program is now available. This program is an upgrade...

We are pleased to announce that our new online Food Safety training program is now available. This program is an upgrade of our former program, and has a fresh, new look and feel about it... No classroom attendance is required and you simply complete the course online in the comfort of...

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Message from the CEO: 13 March 2017

A fortnight on from the penalty rates decision, the accompanying discourse seems to be taking on a life of...

A fortnight on from the penalty rates decision, the accompanying discourse seems to be taking on a life of its own, and devaluing the lengthy and carefully-considered processes behind the decision from the Fair Work Commission. I’ve been particularly saddened to see this independent decision politicised and brandished as a weapon...

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Transition for Sunday penalty rates still undecided

The NRA is dedicated to keeping members informed of any changes that are likely to affect their businesses following...

The NRA is dedicated to keeping members informed of any changes that are likely to affect their businesses following the recent penalty rates decision made by the Fair Work Commission. The changes to public holiday penalty rates will take effect on 1 July 2017 and the variation of the early...

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Have your say: Technical Standards

Technical Standards Next Committee Meeting: 22 MARCH, SYDNEY The NRA’s Technical Standards Committee is a group of quality assurance and product compliance specialists...

Technical Standards Next Committee Meeting: 22 MARCH, SYDNEY The NRA’s Technical Standards Committee is a group of quality assurance and product compliance specialists who come together from many of Australia’s retail businesses to discuss the challenges of product safety and compliance. The Committee is an important forum for the development of retail industry...

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Solid start to 2016 for retail, but NRA urge government to back FWC decision

MEDIA RELEASE March 6, 2017 The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today released its retail trade figures for January 2017,...

MEDIA RELEASE March 6, 2017 The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today released its retail trade figures for January 2017, which demonstrate a solid increase of 3.2 per cent on the January 2016 figures. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said the figures represented a promising sign to the start of 2017 for...

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Message from the CEO: 6 March 2017

Last week, the NRA was concerned to hear the Federal Government announce that they would be cracking down on...

Last week, the NRA was concerned to hear the Federal Government announce that they would be cracking down on so-called ‘dodgy franchisees’ through the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017, which currently sits before the federal parliament. The legislation seeks to make franchisors more responsible for underpayment of...

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Graeme Watson headlines NRA forums in March

Former Vice President of the Fair Work Commission, the Hon. Graeme Watson, will headline the NRA's new forum series, State...

Former Vice President of the Fair Work Commission, the Hon. Graeme Watson, will headline the NRA's new forum series, State of the Retail Nation, this month – speaking candidly about his recent resignation after more than a decade presiding over industrial relations issues in aviation, ports, maritime, oil, gas, hospitality, and...

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Changes to NSW Retail Leases Act soon to become law

The NSW Retail Leases Amendment (Review) Bill 2016 has now passed parliament and will soon become law. The commencement...

The NSW Retail Leases Amendment (Review) Bill 2016 has now passed parliament and will soon become law. The commencement date is to be gazetted by parliament at later date. The amendment brings in a number of changes for retailers in NSW: 1. Jurisdictional Limit The New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal...

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Menu labelling laws kick in for QLD

Food labelling in the spotlight for Qld’s fast food and snack chains This time last year, the Palaszczuk Government...

Food labelling in the spotlight for Qld’s fast food and snack chains This time last year, the Palaszczuk Government passed the Health Legislation Amendment Bill, giving food businesses 12 months to introduce the kilojoule content of their food and drinks into their point-of-sale materials. As of 25 March, the new legislation...

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$20,000 Youth Boost for extended until October

The Palaszczuk Government has extended its offer of $20,000 for employers hiring staff aged between 15 and 24 years...

The Palaszczuk Government has extended its offer of $20,000 for employers hiring staff aged between 15 and 24 years in regional Queensland for another eight months. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the $20,000 Youth Boost employer support payment was provided under the Government’s $100 million Back to Work has helped more...

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Have your say: Jobs Queensland forums

Have your say on how the Queensland government changes systems that affect your business at the upcoming Jobs Queensland...

Have your say on how the Queensland government changes systems that affect your business at the upcoming Jobs Queensland forums. Apprenticeship & Traineeship Forums In November 2016, the Positive Futures – Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Queensland Discussion Paper was launched, to discuss the current apprenticeship and traineeship system. Jobs Queensland is hosting...

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Vulnerable Workers’ Bill

MEDIA RELEASE March 1, 2017 Retailers fearful legislation introduced today could spell the end for struggling SMEs The National Retail Association (NRA)...

MEDIA RELEASE March 1, 2017 Retailers fearful legislation introduced today could spell the end for struggling SMEs The National Retail Association (NRA) has today expressed serious concerns about new provisions in the Vulnerable Workers Bill being introduced to Parliament today, making franchisors responsible for underpayment of labour within their franchisee network, and...

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Have your say: Who should be appointed to the FWC?

As you would be aware, over the past few months three presidential-level members have resigned from the Fair Work...

As you would be aware, over the past few months three presidential-level members have resigned from the Fair Work Commission (FWC). Vice-President Graeme Watson, Senior Deputy President Matthew O’Callaghan and Senior Deputy President Peter Richards have all resigned or taken early retirement within the last year. The loss of these...

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