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Latest News
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FIFO as ‘Essential Travellers’ for Qld COVID-19 border restrictions
27-Mar-2020
From Thursday 26 March, 2020 the Queensland government has restricted interstate travel which may affect Central Queensland businesses that have interstate FIFO workers. Some key things you need to know are: Interstate arrival restrictions Anyone who arrives in Queensland, eg via air, se..
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COVID 19 - Modern Award Change for Hospitality Industry
26-Mar-2020
A COVID-19 flexibility schedule has been inserted to the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2010, with changes including: Employers may direct an employee to perform where necessary, any duties within their skills, licences and qualifications and competencies regardless of their classificat..
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Employers and the Coronavirus – Prepare Now!
12-Mar-2020
It is becoming clearer that coronavirus will have major impacts upon Australian businesses and their employees. In responding to the coronavirus risk all businesses need to understand their rights and responsibilities as employers. Employers should stay up to date with Australian government..
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Changes to the QBCC Minimum Financial Requirements: What it means for Contractors?
06-Dec-2019
In December 2018 the Queensland Government introduced amendments to the minimum financial requirement (“MFR”) laws for QBCC contractor grade licensees. Key changes include the re-introduction of mandatory annual financial reporting for all licensees, clarification as to the treatment of certain ..
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Fires, Floods and Cyclones… Managing Employment Through Natural Disaster
12-Nov-2019
Queensland may be facing its worst bushfire season on record, at least until the wet season starts and then we will all have to face the risks of cyclone and flooding! The devastation does not discriminate between businesses and individuals. Many businesses have already experienced the c..
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Time to renew your trademark? Be warned of fake invoices
05-Aug-2019
Fraudsters are targeting small business owners when it is time to renew their trademark by sending false invoices. IP Australia has confirmed that there is an increasing number of reports of this unofficial invoicing. Several of our clients have received these fake invoices. We remind cl..
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McKays Solicitors establishes charitable fund
19-Jul-2019
McKays Solicitors have chosen to support the Mackay Community Foundation through the establishment of a named fund, the ‘McKays Solicitors Charitable Fund’. The directors of McKays proudly share the same ethos as the Foundation to “give where you live”. Each year, the Foundation invest..
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Rise in pay rates announced
30-May-2019
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has today granted a 3% wages increase to award wage workers. The FWC lifted the national minimum wage by $21.60 a week, or 57 cents an hour, to $740.80, or $19.49 an hour. The change will take effect from the 1st July, 2019. The flow on effect to Aw..
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Managing “smoko” breaks and the risks arising from smoking in the workplace
10-May-2019
Managing “smoko” breaks and the risks arising from smoking in the workplace remains a troubling issue for many employers. Research in 2013 by the Ohio State University established an average cost to employers of absenteeism alone due to smoking breaks of more than $3,000 per annum, without ..
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Is your lender from another country?
12-Apr-2019
If you are borrowing funds from overseas lenders to purchase property, and they are not in the business of lending money, you will most likely need to seek approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB). FIRB is an Australian government advisory board that reviews the purchase ..
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Pitfalls with suppliers’ terms and conditions and how to avoid them
18-Mar-2019
Here is a common scenario we see all the time in the construction industry. You enter into a construction contract which has specifications that require you to install a particular product, for example, a bath, air-conditioning system, a fire collar or whatever. You go out and buy the sp..
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The importance of a well written Shareholders Agreement
28-Feb-2019
When starting a new company, take the time to consider and prepare a detailed Shareholders Agreement as it can help to avoid costly problems in the future. Usually directors and shareholders of a company begin with a shared vision of their new business, however views often change over time. ..