IR Update: “Smart Arse” sacked

An employer has been unable to successfully establish that they dismissed a client analyst as a result of poor...

An employer has been unable to successfully establish that they dismissed a client analyst as a result of poor performance. Employment of Mr Anderson with BNP was subject to a three month probationary period. Just days prior to his termination, Mr Anderson was confronted by his supervisor in earshot of...

Read More

NRA Submission: Post-implementation review of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013

The NRA recently made a submission to the Department of Employment in relation to the review that the Department...

The NRA recently made a submission to the Department of Employment in relation to the review that the Department is currently conducting into various aspects of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013. Our submissions addressed various provisions that were incorporated within the Fair Work Act 2009 as a result of...

Read More

October is Safe Work Month

As part of Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia is hosting a series of free, interactive online seminars that...

As part of Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia is hosting a series of free, interactive online seminars that showcase the latest thinking, innovation, research and developments in work health and safety. The seminars features business leaders, academics and work health and safety experts sharing ideas, experiences, skills and knowledge. Program...

Read More

Message from the CEO: 23rd October 2015

On Monday this week the Federal Government released its response to the Financial System Inquiry.  Of most interest for...

On Monday this week the Federal Government released its response to the Financial System Inquiry.  Of most interest for retailers was a commitment to prohibit merchants from levying credit card surcharges “that are greater than the cost to them of accepting payment by card”. A delegation from the NRA met...

Read More

Preparing for the Christmas Period – Top 5 Tips

In a shock move, banking giant Westpac recently lifted their mortgage rates. The effect on retail sales at this...

In a shock move, banking giant Westpac recently lifted their mortgage rates. The effect on retail sales at this stage is unknown as it is still unclear whether other big banks will follow suit. The impact on consumers will also depend on what the Reserve Bank of Australia will do...

Read More

Update: QLD Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill 1995

The Queensland Government has re-introduced the Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill again into parliament after the original Bill lapsed...

The Queensland Government has re-introduced the Retail Shop Leases Amendment Bill again into parliament after the original Bill lapsed when the last election was called. The Bill followed extensive consultation as a part of the statutory review that started in 2013. The NRA was a member of the Reference...

Read More

Have your say: NSW Retail Leases Act 1994 Review

The Office of Small Business Commissioner in New South Wales is proceeding with the review of the Act which...

The Office of Small Business Commissioner in New South Wales is proceeding with the review of the Act which lapsed due to the elections earlier this year. The review commenced in 2013 with a series of meetings help with various stakeholders. The discussion paper identified eight key areas of...

Read More

IR Update: Driver with Asperger’s not discriminated against

In a recent hearing in South Australia, an employer’s decision to refuse permanency to a driver with Asperger’s was...

In a recent hearing in South Australia, an employer’s decision to refuse permanency to a driver with Asperger’s was deemed unfair and irrational, but not a breach of any anti-discrimination laws. According to the Tribunal, it was fair to consider the potential for future injury and therefore no breach...

Read More

Pre-Christmas Toy Safety Checks

NSW Fair Trading recently commenced its annual pre-Christmas toy safety checks targeting suburbs and towns across the State. Discount stores...

NSW Fair Trading recently commenced its annual pre-Christmas toy safety checks targeting suburbs and towns across the State. Discount stores and 'pop-up kiosk' traders will be a focus with inspections continuing for several weeks. Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said kiosk traders tend to be direct importers, securing their products via...

Read More

Message from the CEO: 16th October 2015

Analysts were saying that the next move in interest rates would be upwards and we saw evidence of that...

Analysts were saying that the next move in interest rates would be upwards and we saw evidence of that this week – not from the Reserve Bank, but from Westpac, which announced a 0.2 per cent increase in its variable rate mortgage. It’s not the first bank to nudge...

Read More

Extended Christmas Trading Hours in NSW

In 2014 the NSW Government introduced extended Christmas shopping hours to help give NSW retailers a boost during the...

In 2014 the NSW Government introduced extended Christmas shopping hours to help give NSW retailers a boost during the vital shopping season. All shops within a business zone will be allowed to open 24 hours a day from 12:00am Friday, 11 December 2015 until 11:59pm Thursday, 24 December, without planning...

Read More

Stay Safe Online Week 2015

Securing your online business presence helps protect the whole retail sector, which relies on a range of technologies to...

Securing your online business presence helps protect the whole retail sector, which relies on a range of technologies to manage the customer experience. You need to secure point of sale, website, inventory and other systems to protect high value data like financial transactions, credit card data, business data and...

Read More

WHS Update September 2015

We welcome our members to the September edition of the WHS Update. With the busy period fast approaching, we would...

We welcome our members to the September edition of the WHS Update. With the busy period fast approaching, we would like to ask you to take a moment to reflect on whether you need to set some WH&S goals to get your staff safely through the busy period ahead. For those...

Read More

WHS Update July 2015

Happy new financial year to all of our members and welcome to the July WHS update. In this month’s update...

Happy new financial year to all of our members and welcome to the July WHS update. In this month’s update we look at the safety initiatives of one of Australia’s largest employers, Kmart, and the work they are doing in the WHS space. We also urge all of our members to...

Read More

WHS Update June 2015

Heads Up: Mentally healthy workplaces start with everyone The National Retail Association is proud in joining ACCI and Beyond Blue...

Heads Up: Mentally healthy workplaces start with everyone The National Retail Association is proud in joining ACCI and Beyond Blue to promote mentally healthy workplaces and prevent the risk of harm caused to workers who may be suffering from, or likely to suffer a mental illness. The importance of workplace...

Read More

WHS Update April 2015

Welcome to the April WH&S update. With the first quarter of 2015 done and dusted, we would like to...

Welcome to the April WH&S update. With the first quarter of 2015 done and dusted, we would like to ask you to take a moment to reflect on whether the WH&S goals set for 2015 are on their way to being met. For those of us who need a...

Read More