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.

Fair Work Australia’s Minimum Wage Panel has yesterday, made its first minimum wage decision. This decision affects the national minimum wage, modern award rates of pay and rates of pay in certain transitional instruments. Click here to read the full article.

Online magazine Inc. spoke to BlandsLaw's Vivienne Storey about how to write a social media policy. Click here to read the full story.

Social Media exponent Iggy Pintado had some good things to say about BlandsLaw and its Sample Social Media Policy - click here to read.

The redundancy provisions in the Fair Work Act place a positive obligation on employers to fully explore redeployment opportunities within oan employer's wider corporate structure. As lawyer Andrew Bland explains, proactively pursuing and proposing alternate employment opportunities before redundancy or termination will minimise the risk of unfair dismissal claims or adverse action such as litigation being brought by employees. Click here to read the full article

In his role as Chairman of Ryde Business Forum, Andrew Bland hosted a luncheon with Assistant Treasurer Nick Sherry in North Ryde. The Click here to read more

With the commencement of Modern Awards on 1 January 2010 there were a number of applications made by certain employer groups seeking amendment to the General Retail Award, 2010 which were subsequently determined by Fair Work Australia.

In a full bench decision of FWA last week, the applications were determined resulting in a number of changes to the Award which we briefly summarise in this document: Blandslaw retail changes.

In his role as Chairman of Ryde Business Forum, Andrew Bland is quoted in the Sun Herald's profile on Maxine McKew MP. Click here to read more

In its final minimum rates determination, the Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) has decided to freeze the wages of low-paid, pay-scale-dependent workers.

As Chairman of Ryde Business Forum Andrew Bland hosted Prime Minister the Hon Kevin Rudd MP at a business breakfast in North Ryde. Click here to read

As Chairman of Ryde Business Forum Andrew Bland hosted Prime Minister The Hon Kevin Rudd MP at a business breakfast in North Ryde. Click here to read

Andrew Bland is quoted as Chairman of Ryde Business Forum in this article about the Epping-Chatswood Rail Link and its impact on the economy in northern Sydney. Click here to read

Andrew Bland is mentioned in Hansard as a business leader in the Bennelong electorate by Maxine McKew MP. Read here: Press House of Reps 04022009

Andrew Bland is quoted in Maxine McKew's media release "$42 BILLION TO BUILD THE NATION, SUPPORT LOCAL JOBS & GROW OUR ECONOMY": Click here to read

Updates on the Changes Agreed Between the Government and the Senate Over the Past Seven Days.

On the last sitting day for Parliament until May, the Fair Work Bill has passed through the Senate, after the Government reached a much debated agreement with Family First Senator Steve Fielding, on phasing-in its definition of small business for unfair dismissal purposes.