Legal matters
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ATO compliance program to scrutinise small businesses
6:50PM | Thursday, 30 June 2011 | Michelle HammondA crackdown on the cash economy, sham contracting and super contributions herald the new financial year.
Employers urged to review pay changes before July 1
6:02PM | Wednesday, 29 June 2011 | Michelle HammondThe new financial year will bring significant changes for payroll departments.
Paid parental leave looms for small businesses
6:39PM | Tuesday, 28 June 2011 | Michelle HammondSmall business owners have been told to “get cracking” on their paid parental leave systems, despite a new survey revealing employers’ ongoing hostility towards their paymaster duties.
Telstra ordered to pay home-based worker’s injury costs
6:17PM | Monday, 27 June 2011 | Michelle HammondStart-ups with home-based staff have been handed a stark warning after Telstra was forced to pay legal and medical costs for an employee who suffered work-related injuries while at home.
Franchisees divided over Abetz bill
6:43PM | Monday, 27 June 2011 | Michelle HammondFranchisees are divided over a decision by Liberal MP Peter Abetz to push ahead with his WA franchise bill despite an investigative committee advising against it.
Settlement reached over “Honest to Goodness” IP battle
6:24PM | Friday, 24 June 2011 | Michelle HammondAn official settlement has been reached between Woolworths and independent retailer Organic Marketing Australia, ending a three-month fight over the phrase “honest to goodness”.
Employers warned over sham contracting perils
6:33PM | Friday, 24 June 2011 | Michelle HammondBusiness owners are being urged to raise staff awareness of sham contracting, after a NSW company was fined almost $17,000 for dismissing employees before rehiring them as contractors.
Abetz to push ahead with franchising bill despite committee rebuffal
6:26PM | Friday, 24 June 2011 | Michelle HammondLiberal MP Peter Abetz is to push ahead with his controversial WA franchise bill despite a parliamentary investigative committee advising against it.
Social media surge fuelling credit card scams: Report
6:32PM | Thursday, 23 June 2011 | Michelle HammondNew figures reveal online credit card scams are increasing, with social media attributed partial blame, but the Australian Bankers Association insists fraud rates are still low.
Scoopon v Groupon legal case clouded by Packer arrival
6:34PM | Wednesday, 22 June 2011 | Michelle HammondJames Packer’s $80 million investment in local group buying site Scoopon could affect its legal battle with international rival Groupon, according to the US-based site’s legal counsel.
Distribute.IT cyber attack prompts backup warning
6:22PM | Wednesday, 22 June 2011 | Michelle HammondA massive cyber attack on web hosting company Distribute.IT has resulted in the loss of more than 4800 Australian websites, prompting stark warnings for start-ups without data backup.
Malware and Mac attacks at forefront of online threats: report
6:12PM | Wednesday, 22 June 2011 | Michelle HammondInternet security software company AVG has unveiled the latest threats to internet users in a new report, with new forms of malware and Mac attacks among the growing list of dangers.
Blocking of transport app prompts legal warning for developers
6:14PM | Tuesday, 21 June 2011 | Michelle HammondApp developers that create apps for government agencies have been warned to seek legal advice to avoid the possibility of their work being blocked.
FWA cut to student shift requirements gets business backing
6:27PM | Monday, 20 June 2011 | Michelle HammondIndustry groups have welcomed the decision to reduce the minimum shift requirements to 1.5 hours for secondary students, saying it will save jobs and stop business owners from breaking the rules.
ATO emphasises tax debt management following Jim’s Plumbing wind-up notice
6:21PM | Monday, 20 June 2011 | Michelle HammondThe tax office is urging businesses to properly manage their tax debt, following its application to wind up SA franchise Jim’s Plumbing after it failed to comply with a taxation-related demand.
Small retailers ‘hit hardest’ by IR regime
6:39PM | Monday, 20 June 2011 | Michelle HammondSmall retailers are suffering the most from Australia’s labour laws, according to industry groups, despite a high-profile attack by larger retailers on the Federal Government’s workplace regime.
ACMA issues Do Not Call warning after telemarketing company fined $120,000
6:41PM | Friday, 17 June 2011 | Michelle HammondBusinesses are being urged to review the industry standard for telemarketing and research calls, after a telemarketing company was fined $120,000 for breaching the Do Not Call Register Act.
Red tape on the rise, directors say
6:38PM | Friday, 17 June 2011 | Michelle HammondNearly 70% of directors deal with more red tape now than they did 12 months ago, according to the Director Sentiment Index from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Consumer group challenges big retailers’ call for lower import threshold
6:45PM | Tuesday, 14 June 2011 | Michelle HammondMajor Australian retailers are calling for the Government to reduce the low-import threshold to $100 and impose GST for online sales, but consumer groups say retailers are failing to entice customers.
Apple’s changes a win for media app developers
6:08PM | Friday, 10 June 2011 | Michelle HammondMedia app developers stand to benefit from changes to Apple’s App Store policies, which will make it easier for publishers to sell subscriptions on its iPad and iPhone.
