This article appreared in the technolgy section of the SMH

Wide open cyberspace brings farm to the city
DANICA LEYS'S minimalist office in a North Ryde commercial district does not get much further from the farm gate.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

MINISTER NAMES FINALISTS IN NSW RURAL WOMEN’S AWARDS

A goat farmer specialising in skin care products and a former agronomist who has established a unique social media platform have been named as finalists in the NSW Rural Women’s Awards,

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson said today.

Every year, around this time, we get questions about employer’s obligations to their employees, particularly in the context of workplace functions. There are many parties, celebrations, after-work drinks and festivities for employers and employees to attend, and many of them are connected to work. As such, employers should be aware of, and be prepared for, the potential legal risks and liabilities that may arise.

 Join Habitat For Humanity Australia for an evening with broadcaster and journalist, Angela Catterns 

Hands and Hearts Build, Cambodia

Creating new beginnings for the orphans, vulnerable children and families living with HIV AIDS

•  Sydney 22 November 2011 from 6-8pm hosted by QBE LMI, or 
• Melbourne 24 November 2011 from 6-8pm hosted by Microsoft 

 Download invitation Invitation Hands and Heart build Cambodia

Buy tickets ($10) online www.habitat.org.au/cambodia 

BlandsLaw provide a ‘hand up’ to families in Australia and Overseas in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Australia

Click  download the PR_BLANDSLAW_Habitat_1NOV11

Published on Lawyers Weekly

Battling negative public perceptions about lawyers is a key focus point for a new grassroots lawyer movement.

Your Invited Full Day Interactive Social Media Workshop

Choose from 2 Locations

The Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPS Act) establishes a new national system for the registration of security interests in personal property. PPS reform introduces fundamental changes to the law of personal property and is also designed to establish one central register (PPS Register) administered by the Commonwealth of Australia.‬

The aim of the PPS reform is stated to be to improve the ability of individuals and businesses, particularly small-to-medium size businesses, to use all their property in raising capital.

Fair Work Australia's minimum wage panel released its 2011 Annual Minimum Wage Decision on Friday, 3 June 2011. Under the Fair Work Act 2009, the Minimum Wage Panel of Fair Work Australia must conduct an annual wage review in each financial year.

Social Farming

Getting a grip on farm IR responsibilities

Farmers need to be aware of their responsibilities when hiring and retaining farm workers, including their obligations under the Pastoral Award 2010 according to Kondinin Group.

In the lead up to sowing growers are no doubt recruiting their workforce. And while the common farm employment contract is nothing more than a handshake, growers need to be aware of the legal environment they enter when hiring staff. Danica Leys and Andrew Bland of Blandslaw, provide an insight into farm industrial law and a number of new developments worthy of growers’ attention.

See the full article  by Danica Leys and Andrew Bland in Farming Ahead.

Interesting Crikey article on #AgChatOz and its' founders, including our own Danica Leys.

On January 2011, the Trade Practices Act 1974 (TPA) will be replaced with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010. The most significant changes will be centred around the issue of unfair contract terms and the consequences of a finding a term is ‘unfair’.  Click on the following link to read further; Trade Practices Act Agribusiness

As we get into 2011, we encourage employers to review and consider their obligations, employment terms and conditions, policies, procedures and practices to ensure an industrially successful 2011 ahead. We have highlighted some recent developments and upcoming matters for consideration in the workplace. To read the full article, click on the following; Looking Forward - 2011 the year ahed

In NSW, the Security Interests in Goods Act 2005 (SIGA) has replaced the Liens on Crop and Wool and Stock Mortgages Acts 1898, and the Bills of Sale Act 1898.It commenced operation on the 1st March 2006. This means that a "crop lien‟, as it was once known, is now replaced with what is termed a "crop mortgage‟. Read the full article here

Farmers across Australia are increasingly using the social media network Twitter to promote their businesses and access news relevant to their industry.  Read the full article from the ABC's website here.

A stated intention of the award modernisation process was not to result in a reduction of an employee’s take home pay. The Schedule 5 provisions of the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act, 2009 (Transitional legislation) specifically empower Fair Work Australia to remedy any reductions in take-home pay. Read the full article here .

Calibration, efficacy and kill rate are not the only factors to think of when spraying. Growers are reminded of their legal obligations when applying chemical and how a few simple record-keeping habits could keep them out of nasty and expensive legal situations.

Andrew Bland and Danica Leys of BlandsLaw contributed to this article from Farming Ahead.