Newsletters 04


SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ALL OF US AT NATHAN LAWYERS

The partners and staff of Nathan Lawyers would like to wish you and yours all the best for a happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2005. We hope we have been able to assist you with issues in your workplace during the year and we thank you for choosing us to advise you. We also hope that we have been able to provide information of interest through our bulletin and we look forward to working with you in 2005.

 

MINIMUM WAGE FOR STATE AWARD EMPLOYEES INCREASES BY $19 PER WEEK FROM 1 SEPTEMBER 2003

Queensland Council of Unions AND Anor AND Queensland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited, Industrial Organisation of Employers and Others Queensland Industrial Relations Commission, Linnane VP, Swan DP, Blades C,

 

ALP’S FEDERAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS POLICY ANNOUNCED

ALP News Statement by Craig Emerson and Mark Latham – Labor’s Industrial Relations Policy: Flexibility With Fairness for Australia’s Workplaces, Friday 6 August 2004

The federal Labor Party has released its industrial relations policy for the upcoming federal election. The policy confirms that enterprise bargaining will be retained as the central focus of the industrial relations system. There are 4 central features of the policy which we set out for interested readers:

 

NEW REDUNDANCY ENTITLEMENTS FOR FEDERAL AWARD EMPLOYEES - SOME RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESS IN SUPPLEMENTARY DECISION

Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Justice Guidice, President, Vice President Ross, Commissioners Smith & Deegan, Melbourne, 8 June 2004

Regular readers will recall that our April Workplace Bulletin reported on increases in redundancy entitlements for long term federal award employees. However, whilst the more generous scales will not apply to small businesses employing less than 15 employees, the Full Bench determined that the previously existing standard clause of up to a maximum of 8 weeks pay after 4 years service would apply to small business. The Full Bench has recently handed down a supplementary decision clarifying various aspects of the March decision.

 

FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES BY $19.00 PER WEEK

Safety Net Review 2004, Australian Industrial Relations Commission, Giudice J, Ross VP, Lawler VP, Marsh SDP, Lacy SDP, Larkin C and Grainger C, 5 May 2004

A Full Bench of the AIRC handed down its decision in this year’s minimum wage case on 5 May 2004. The ACTU had claimed a flat weekly increase of $26.60 in award rates of pay with commensurate adjustments in wage-related allowances. Employer parties opposed the claim, arguing that there should be an increase of no more than $10.00 per week. This position was supported by the Federal Government while the State and Territory governments supported an increase of $20 per week in all award rates.

 
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Testimonials



I have been dealing with Rob Stevenson for several years. I have found him to be a conscientious lawyer who prides himself on giving practical, timely and cost effective advice to his clients in the areas of employment and discrimination law.

Dr Peter Lynch
dci lyncon




Allied Express has used Rob Stevenson’s services in a long running claim by a former contractor. Rob has impressed me with his calm, efficient manner and knowledge of the detail of the claim and we are happy with his conduct of the matter. He has regularly kept me advised of developments and he has been professional in his approach.

Jeanette Bonaccorso, State Manager
Allied Express Transport Pty Ltd




Rob Stevenson has helped my company with legal advice, particularly in the employment area, for several years now. He has provided advice about the company’s employment and contracting arrangements and helped with draft contract documents. He has also provided advice and prepared letters for use in the termination of an employee. I operate a busy small business and I have found Rob to be accessible by telephone and he has also visited my office. He has given good, practical advice.

Patricia Newman, Director
Newman Transport Pty Ltd




Rob Stevenson has provided advice to my company about several complex and sensitive employment issues in recent years.  I have found him to be professional and courteous, readily available to talk to and good with providing advice in short timeframes. He has a practical approach and I have appreciated his advice and assistance. I have no difficulty in recommending his services in the employment law area.

Peter Hallahan, Chartered Accountant
Hallahan & Co




Rob Stevenson has acted for us in the resolution of a discrimination claim in the Federal Magistrates Court. He gave detailed advice about the steps in the legal process, practical issues in the case and our options. He engaged experienced counsel and we worked as a team to successfully resolve the matter without the need for prolonged legal proceedings. I found him to be readily available to speak to and he impressed me as being experienced in employment and discrimination law. We were happy with his work.

Neil McDonald, Company Secretary and Manager – Legal Services
Hamilton Island Resort




My company provides systems safety engineering, assessment and training services to the rail, defence and aerospace industries. Rob has helped my business by reviewing and advising on consultancy contracts with customers, preparing employment agreements for use in the business and assisting me with advice on the legal requirements for managing employee performance.


He has been readily contactable and has provided sensible advice. I am grateful for his advice and I feel it has been invaluable in avoiding many of the pitfalls facing business operators.

Dr Alena Griffiths, Director
System Safety & Quality Engineering Pty Ltd




Rob Stevenson has helped us to successfully resolve a claim of unfair/unlawful dismissal by a former employee which involved proceedings in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and the Federal Magistrates Court. Rob was able to explain the legal processes to us in terms we understood. He also advised us about practical issues in the case which greatly assisted us in making decisions.


He engaged excellent counsel and worked with the barrister as a team to ensure our organisation received the best possible outcome. He attended to matters promptly and was readily accessible. As an individual and on behalf of the organisation, I would have no hesitation in recommending his services.

Leisa Fraser, Finance Officer
Goolburri Health Advancement Aboriginal Corporation


 



Rob Stevenson acted for me in a discrimination complaint against a government department. After approaching the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH) for assistance, I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had Rob take up my case and represent me. After Rob accepted my case, I was able to apply for, and secure, limited financial assistance from Legal Aid Queensland.

In dealing with my complaint, Rob went to great lengths to explain with great clarity the entire process as well as my options. Rob put all issues in layman’s terms that were easily understood. I was able to discuss all issues and concerns with Rob, to which he was always able to provide practical and professional advice.

Although having a professional approach, Rob was always extremely easy to talk to. With Rob’s assistance a very satisfactory settlement to my complaint was reached. I was extremely pleased with and grateful for Rob’s representation of my complaint. I would have no hesitation in recommending Rob for legal representation.

Leonie Hartley




Rob Stevenson has helped my company with several employment matters in recent years. These have included resolving a common law employment claim, giving advice about requirements for notice and the return of property on termination of employment as well as workers compensation issues. 


Rob has been prompt in returning my calls and emails and has provided detailed and timely advice which has been of assistance to the business. He doesn’t use too much legal jargon and his advice has been practical and useful. I would have no hesitation in recommending Rob’s expertise to other businesses with similar questions to mine.

Justin Barrett, Director
Barrett Shop Fitting Pty Ltd




My company has used Rob’s law firm on a number of occasions. He has helped me with a commercial claim against one of my company businesses as well as providing assistance and advice to me about responding to a discrimination claim made by a former employee which was able to be resolved. I have been very happy with the service he has provided. His response times have been quick and his advice has been sensible and helpful.

Adam McEvoy, Director
McEvoy Rural Holdings Pty Ltd




Kingston Park Raceway has used Rob Stevenson for our employment law needs for several years. We are a flexible and dynamic workforce that was looking for a platform that satisfied all of our employee needs whilst working a rotating 7 day roster. Rob’s understanding of these needs and ability to work well with our employment requirements has enabled us to produce an easy to understand collective agreement approved by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission covering my workforce.


This has provided a stable industrial environment for the operation of Kingston Park Raceway and allowed the business to work harmoniously whilst still continuing to grow. The demands on employers is sometime overwhelming but Rob has been easy to understand and professional in his approach and we have been very happy with the results achieved.

Terry Skene, Director
Kingston Park Raceway



This helped the organisation to make decisions about its strategic approach to the case. Rob appeared for TUH at a conciliation conference in the Commission which resulted in a satisfactory resolution of the matter. He was a strong advocate for the organisation and we were happy with his assistance.

Sarah Morris, Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary
Teachers’ Union Health




Rob Stevenson has been providing advice and assistance to the Employee Council and its members for over 10 years. Rob worked on the Council’s application as an enterprise union and has provided advice to many members over the years in situations ranging from disciplinary action to termination to claims for long service leave payments. He has also given advice to our industrial advisers on difficult legal points. I have always found him easy to contact and talk to and his advice has been practical and helpful to our members and the Council.

Chris Bath, Chief Executive Officer
Suncorp Group Employee Council




I have been dealing with Rob for a number of years in relation to workplace issues in my business. He has been generous with his time in discussing the employment issues which have arisen in my business from time to time. He has prepared Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) for use in my business which were approved by the Workplace Authority.


He has also helped with advice on post employment restraint issues on several occasions. As an owner of a growing business, I have appreciated his practical advice and assistance and recommend his services in the employment law area.

Paul Davis, Director
Paul Davis Personal Trainers Pty Ltd



Rob has provided employment legal advice and assistance to QAIHC and its member organisations and presented QIHFN seminar presentations on workplace legal issues and changes to workplace relations legislation. Rob has a practical and friendly style which has been appreciated and he responded quickly to requests for advice.

Helen Hewett
Director, Fineline Consultancy Pty Ltd


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