The minimum wage panel of Fair Work Australia (“FWA”) handed down its annual decision on minimum wages at 10:00 am this morning. FWA has made the following determinations: to increase the national minimum wage by…

Minimum Wage Decision | Hunt & Hunt

Previously, we article addressed some stories in the Fairfax media and media releases by the Minister for Home Affairs (“Minister”) which referred to concerns as to potential corruption of Government officials and misuse of the Integrated Cargo System (“ICS”)…

Federal Government to get Tougher on the Control of Ports, Airports | Hunt & Hunt

Previously, we reported on the likely impacts on industry from the recent announcements by the Minister for Home Affairs regarding increased control on cargo and those handling and the reporting of its movement through the…

Customs Unveils New Licence Conditions for Customs Brokers | Hunt & Hunt

Last month, Federal MP Steve Georganas, introduced the Do Not Knock Register Bill 2012 in the lower house to establish the ‘Do Not Knock Register’. The private members Bill replicates the Do-Not-Call Register legislation introduced…

Knock Knock…Who’s there? | Hunt & Hunt

Recently a large employer found to its cost that union bargaining representatives knew the employer was signing up to a deal it did not truly appreciate but did nothing to alert the employer to its…

Enterprise Agreement Bargaining Representatives – are not your friends | Hunt & Hunt

Some readers would be aware of extensive recent litigation on the availability of tariff concession orders (“TCOs”) in relation to “reach” and “lift” trucks which litigation has had broader consequences for the law relating to…

Full Federal Court Rules on “substitutability” in TCO Matters | Hunt & Hunt

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (“Customs”) has been conducting an investigation into alleged dumping and subsidies relating to the export of aluminium road wheels (“ARW”) from the PRC to Australia. Customs had very…

Investigation into Alleged Subsidies and Dumping of Aluminium Road Wheels | Hunt & Hunt

In recent updates, we have referred to the actions by the Minister for Home Affairs and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (“Customs”) in response to perceived problems with crime, corruption and security at…

Customs turns attention to those operating licensed premises | Hunt & Hunt

A new form of financial advice licence will allow accountants to become licensed and able to provide a much broader range of financial advice than they have previously been able to. Licensees will be able…

New Limited Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) | Hunt & Hunt

There has been significant interest in the new conditions which the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (“Customs”) is imposing on those it licenses including licensed customs brokers, warehouse operators and depot operators.  These new…

New Customs Licensing Conditions to be a Subject of CBFCA Member Forums in July | Hunt & Hunt

On 12 June, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Implementation Taskforce released its Implementation Report, setting out the ACNC’s regulatory approach in five key action areas. These five areas are. These five areas are: 1….

Magic Pudding – the ACNC’s Implementation Report | Hunt & Hunt

On 1 July 2012, a new landholder duty model came into force in Victoria, replacing the previous land rich duty model. The amendments to the Duties Act 2000 have expanded the number of transactions in…

Victoria Moves to a New Landholder Duty Model | Hunt & Hunt

Different ways of rewarding high-performing, senior or specialist employees can be eroded when enterprise agreements require all covered employees to be treated in the same way. One solution is to allow some employees to opt…

Enterprise agreement “opt-out clauses” are not a safe bet – put flexibility inside the agreement instead | Hunt & Hunt

As part of the 2012-13 Budget, the Federal Government announced it proposes to remove the 50% capital gains tax discount for non-residents on certain capital gains accrued after 7.30 pm (AEST) on 8 May 2012….

Non-Residents May No Longer Enjoy the 50% Discount on Capital Gains | Hunt & Hunt

Since the Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) requirements came into force late last year, the government has sent at least 150 ‘please explain’ letters. The impact of the Building Energy Efficiency Act is far-reaching. Businesses…

Don’t Forget Your Building Energy Efficiency Certificate | Hunt & Hunt

Recent changes to mining legislation increase the burden on mining companies wishing to access land. In South Australia, amendments to the Mining Act 1971 impose additional procedural requirements on miners wishing to enter private land for exploration….

Sorting the Legislative Maze Between Landowners and Developing Resource Companies | Hunt & Hunt

The Personal Property and Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA), which came into effect on 30 January 2012, changes the way in which security interests in personal property are managed across Australia. There is now one…

How the PPSA May be Impacting Your Business | Hunt & Hunt

The Personal Property and Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA), which came into effect on 30 January 2012, changes the way in which security interests in personal property are managed across Australia. There is now one…

Six Months in, How the PPSA may be impacting Your Business | Hunt & Hunt

The Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUA) are an innovative and new way for the Victorian and New South Wales (NSW) governments to try to stimulate energy efficient upgrades of commercial buildings. They are finding popularity as…

Turning Green: Environmental Upgrade Agreements | Hunt & Hunt

Facebook is a word that did not appear in decisions of Fair Work Australia (FWA), the federal industrial tribunal, until 2009. Since that first mention, there have been over 20 decided cases involving unfair dismissal…

When Workplace Grumbles are Shouted Through a Social Media Megaphone | Hunt & Hunt