South Australian government charging ahead with single use plastics ban commencing 1 March 2021

The South Australian Government has advised the National Retail Association that on 1 March 2021, the Single Use Plastics...

The South Australian Government has advised the National Retail Association that on 1 March 2021, the Single Use Plastics (Waste Avoidance) Act 2020 will be implemented after passing Parliament on 9 September 2020. The National Retail Association consistently lobbied on behalf of industry and retailers to ensure 'black out periods' were...

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Retailers support SA plastics ban but more time and support needed

The National Retail Association (NRA) commends the South Australian government for its action on single-use plastics, but insists more...

The National Retail Association (NRA) commends the South Australian government for its action on single-use plastics, but insists more time and support is needed to help businesses to prepare and comply. South Australia is the first state to ban single-use plastic items such as straws, cutlery, stirrers as well as...

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Parliament passes JobKeeper 2.0

This afternoon, Parliament passed the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020 which gives effect to the...

This afternoon, Parliament passed the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020 which gives effect to the previously announced extension of the JobKeeper Payment Scheme until 28 March 2021. To continue participating in the scheme after 27 September 2020, employers will need to meet revised eligibility requirements, and reassess...

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ACT to ban single-use cutlery, stirrers & EPS foodware in mid 2021

The ACT Government has submitted an Exposure Draft of the Plastic Reduction Bill 2020 was tabled in the ACT...

The ACT Government has submitted an Exposure Draft of the Plastic Reduction Bill 2020 was tabled in the ACT Legislative Assembly today and, if passed, will likely come into effect July 2021. “The phase out will begin from July 2021, banning the sale and supply of single-use plastic cutlery, stirrers...

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Industry & community groups combine to support ban on EPS foodware

The National Retail Association plus industry and community groups have contacted the Queensland Government today to express their support...

The National Retail Association plus industry and community groups have contacted the Queensland Government today to express their support for a ban on expanded polystyrene (EPS) foodware. Members of the QLD Stakeholder Advisory Group on the proposed single-use plastics ban, have written a joint letter recommending that EPS takeaway cups,...

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SA to ban single-use plastic straws, cutlery, stirrers & EPS foodware

The Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2020 was introduced to Parliament on 30 April 2020. This...

The Single-use and Other Plastic Products (Waste Avoidance) Bill 2020 was introduced to Parliament on 30 April 2020. This Bill prohibits the sale, supply and distribution of certain single-use plastic products and establishes a framework for adding other products in the future. Key elements of the proposed legislation include: Single-use...

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19/06/19 Victorian Govt announces VIC bag ban deadline

The Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister for Solar Homes Media release: Victorian Government Wednesday 19 June Lightweight, single-use...

The Hon Lily D'Ambrosio MP Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister for Solar Homes Media release: Victorian Government Wednesday 19 June Lightweight, single-use plastic shopping bags will be banned across Victoria from 1 November this year, under new legislation introduced to parliament today by the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio said...

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Legislative update: Modern slavery in supply chains

By Alex Millman and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal On 28 June 2018, the Commonwealth introduced the Modern Slavery Bill, which,...

By Alex Millman and Lindsay Carroll, NRA Legal On 28 June 2018, the Commonwealth introduced the Modern Slavery Bill, which, if passed, will target the supply chains of large businesses in a bid to quash modern slavery in Australia. A week prior, on 21 June 2018, the New South Wales...

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United Voice set to merge with NUW

Written by Sid Sidhu and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Employee union, United Voice, is set to merge with the National...

Written by Sid Sidhu and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Employee union, United Voice, is set to merge with the National Union of Workers (‘NUW’) following a signed Memorandum of Understanding by both organisations to explore options for a “new union model”. The unions have revealed plans to meet in November to...

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Employment law legislation update

Written by Alex Millman Members will recall from previous news alerts that there are several pieces of legislation amending the...

Written by Alex Millman Members will recall from previous news alerts that there are several pieces of legislation amending the Fair Work Act currently waiting for the attention of the Senate before they can become law. Foremost among these is the Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Vulnerable Workers) Bill 2017, which aims...

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Federal Government to close superannuation legal loophole

by Angela Szczepanski and Sid Sidhu, NRA Legal The Federal Government is planning to introduce legislation in the coming months...

by Angela Szczepanski and Sid Sidhu, NRA Legal The Federal Government is planning to introduce legislation in the coming months that will address an estimated $1 billion worth of annual unpaid super. The Bill, which will amend that rules that currently allow companies to reduce their super contributions, will close...

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Fruit & veg measurement crackdown

A new campaign has been launched by the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and is designed to help buyers and sellers...

A new campaign has been launched by the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and is designed to help buyers and sellers get value for money as Australian fruit and vegetables make their way from the farm gate to the table. The NMI’s ‘Harvest to Home’ trade measurement inspection program will run until...

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Introduction of “Corrupting Benefits” laws

by Meaghan Spencer and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash introduced new legislation...

by Meaghan Spencer and Troy Wild, NRA Legal Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash introduced new legislation this week that outlaws payments of "corrupting benefits" to unions and imposes penalties on those who provide or receive such payments. The Prime Minister said that the Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting...

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Time to reform retail trading hours

There is no greater obstacle to job creation in the retail industry than being forbidden from opening your doors...

There is no greater obstacle to job creation in the retail industry than being forbidden from opening your doors to trade due to government regulation. It remains the case that many states across Australia maintain complex and excessive layers of regulation concerning retail trading hours. The different legislation requirements for...

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Amendments to Work Health and Safety Act 2011 come into effect

As part of its commitment to improving safety for Queenslanders at work, the Palaszcuk Government has introduced a number...

As part of its commitment to improving safety for Queenslanders at work, the Palaszcuk Government has introduced a number of changes to the State’s work health and safety (WHS) laws. Legislation that was recently passed to restore elements of the original Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Qld), which were...

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NRA Submission: Post-implementation review of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013

The NRA recently made a submission to the Department of Employment in relation to the review that the Department...

The NRA recently made a submission to the Department of Employment in relation to the review that the Department is currently conducting into various aspects of the Fair Work Amendment Act 2013. Our submissions addressed various provisions that were incorporated within the Fair Work Act 2009 as a result of...

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