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Crops and the PPSA
Feb 14, 2018
In addition to the mainstream security, perfection, priority and extinguishment rules, the PPSA contains a number of specific enforcement and priority rules in relation to security interests over crops.
Were you and are you paying your apprentices correctly?
Feb 13, 2018
A recent decision of the Full Federal Court of Australia may have a significant impact on your business. The effect of the decision is that Queensland employers that have used a “NAPSA” (explained below) to calculate their apprentices’ pay rate have potentially underpaid their apprentices. The estimate is that the total underpayment across Queensland may be well over $100 million.
Renting out equipment? Think PPSR.
Jan 4, 2018
Do you lease equipment (either formally or informally) to clients and friends? What about that cement mixer or excavator you let your mate borrow over a year ago?
If yes, you need to consider the Personal Property and Securities Register (“PPSR”) to ensure you are able to get your equipment back in the event that your client or mate goes broke. Imagine the loss to your business if you were to lose 1 or more pieces of equipment in this situation!
New security of payments laws…learn all about it or pay the price
Dec 20, 2017
These tips help explain why all contractors need to attend the upcoming workshops about the tough, new security of payments laws. You will also see why your contract administrators and project managers must also attend.
Would your contract hold up in Court?
Dec 4, 2017
Legislation relating to unfair contract terms for small businesses has, to date, generally been untested. However, a recent case against waste management solutions company, JJ Richards and Sons, shows these laws have real ‘teeth’, with eight terms of a contract being deemed unfair and unenforceable.
“Safe Harbour” legislation changes may equal ‘Better Outcomes’ for insolvent trading
Nov 24, 2017
You are a director of a company that is having tough times. You have a plan to turn it around but are paralysed with the fear of being personally liable for the debts of the company due to insolvent trading laws. “Safe harbour” changes to the Corporations Act may be your solution.
Are your Weinsteins under control?
Nov 8, 2017
There have been many “turning points” in history, that moment when as a society we seem to say “enough” concerning a particular practice or behaviour. Collectively, we recognise the need to take a different attitude to a group of people or once tolerated set of behaviours.
Security of payments breakthrough… New legislation with real teeth passed last night
Oct 27, 2017
Last night the Queensland Government passed the toughest security of payments legislation ever seen in Australia.
The new Building Industry Fairness (Security of Payment) Act 2017 substantially improves security of payments, particularly for the subcontracting industry.
Industrial Manslaughter legislative amendments and their relevance for you
Oct 25, 2017
The maximum penalty for industrial manslaughter is $10 million for a company. The action or failure to act by an individual (either a PCBU or a senior officer) carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Are competitors using the internet to ‘steal’ your customers? It’s more common than you might think
Oct 16, 2017
If you get work from your good local reputation or the web, don’t be surprised if a competitor is using the internet to covertly steal your work and in the process, potentially damaging your reputation.
Google Rankings and Another Reason for a Trade Mark
Sep 27, 2017
One of the strategies used by businesses and their website designers to improve their ranking in internet searches is to include certain keywords or ‘metatags’ into the code.
If including a competitor’s business name as a metatag in the code for your website would increase your ranking, would you do it?
The most effective and misunderstood tool for employers to eliminate the risk of unfair dismissal claims… guaranteed!
Sep 19, 2017
To their own emotional and out of pocket cost, many employers do not understand the ‘minimum employment period’ that applies to their employees.