The Quinn Group | The Quintessential Brief

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June 2009	Accounting	- Start thinking about your tax return before 30 June - Superannuation-has the budget affected your retirement funds?
	Legal	- Do you need a Power of Attorney? - Workplace reform legislation
	Marketing	- Being online- no longer the future it's the present - Logos are essential for a successful business
	Small Business	- Employee engagement and your bottom line
	Featured Service	- Get your Business 'back on track'
	From the Desk	- From the Principal, Michael Quinn
	At Quinns...	- Host a Murder Luncheon
	Important Dates	- Dates to remember this quarter
	Staff Profile	- Andrew Goddard
	Client Spotlight	- ZestBar

Workplace reform legislation is finally here for Australian workers

Australia’s long awaited, employment legislation The Fair Work Act 2009 was recently passed through federal parliament on Friday 7 April 2009. The introduction of the Act spells the end of the controversial Workplace Relations Act 1996 that was implemented by the Howard Government during its time in power. Intended to come into effect for Australian workplaces on 1 July 2009, the new legislation will essentially alter the basic structure of workplace agreements throughout the country.

The recent changes see the Rudd Labour Government’s election promises upheld as AWA’s are abolished. The new laws signal the transition to a new workplace relations system within Australia.

In short, some of the core objectives of the new Fair Work Act include creating a new instrument called the Individual Transitional Employment Agreement (ITEA’s), setting minimum conditions for all National Employment Standard (NES), a radical overhaul of the current Unfair Dismissal laws, ensuring that only workplace agreements, agreement variations and terminations that meet fundamental requirements (such as employee approval) would come into operation and abolishing the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and the Workplace Ombudsman and replacing it with Fair Work Australia.

Perhaps one of the most notable amendments is that current Unfair Dismissal Laws will be significantly altered, paving a new way for future cases within workplace discrimination.

The introduction of the Fair Work Act will see dramatic changes in workplaces across the country. Whether you are an employer or an employee if you have any questions or would like more information on how the new laws will affect you please contact us on 1300 QUINNS or click here to submit an online enquiry.

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