Message from the CEO: 3 October 2017

Two challenges to the penalty rates ruling brought by worker unions have now been heard in the Federal Court,...

Two challenges to the penalty rates ruling brought by worker unions have now been heard in the Federal Court, with both cases heard together last week, in front of a full bench in Melbourne. After joining other employer and business groups including the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Hotels Association...

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NRA are standing up for retail and fast food in the Penalty Rates Case

By Alex Millman and Justine Ansell, NRA Legal The union challenge to the Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut penalty...

By Alex Millman and Justine Ansell, NRA Legal The union challenge to the Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut penalty rates in the retail, fast food and hospitality sectors wrapped up yesterday, with the Federal Court reserving its decision to be handed down at a later date. With five judges, approximately...

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What to expect in the new financial year

By Alex Millman After a somewhat turbulent final month to the financial year, the time has come for all industries...

By Alex Millman After a somewhat turbulent final month to the financial year, the time has come for all industries to take stock of what had been going on and what we can expect to see in industrial relations as we go into the new year. Here are just some of...

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Retail Figures Remain Steady According to ABS Stats for May

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures for May 2017 has shown a steady rise of 0.6%...

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail trade figures for May 2017 has shown a steady rise of 0.6% turnover, seasonally adjusted. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that while retail was experiencing a quiet period, the industry remains in steady shape and should continue to pick up following the introduction...

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Message from the CEO: 6 June 2017

The Fair Work Commission has made two important decisions affecting retailers in the last 24 hours, and it’s worth...

The Fair Work Commission has made two important decisions affecting retailers in the last 24 hours, and it’s worth considering how commentators and elected officials respond to each one. The first issue, yesterday, was the Commission’s announcement on the timing of the adjustment of Sunday penalty rates. Your feedback to...

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Decision on penalty rate transition period handed down

In February the Fair Work Commission announced its decision to reduce Sunday penalty rates in the Hospitality, Fast Food,...

In February the Fair Work Commission announced its decision to reduce Sunday penalty rates in the Hospitality, Fast Food, Retail and Pharmacy awards. At 2pm today the Commission handed down its decision on how these changes will be implemented. Fast Food Industry Award 2010  Only Level 1 employees are affected by the...

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Message from the CEO: 4 April 2017

It certainly has been an exciting year so far in workplace relations, and there are a number of items...

It certainly has been an exciting year so far in workplace relations, and there are a number of items that cannot go unnoticed and should not go unnoticed by our membership. In the last sitting week of federal parliament for March 2017, the Senate voted to block the Fair Work...

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Former VP of Fair Work Commission shares insight with retailers

This week saw the successful launch of the National Retail Association's State of the Retail Nation forums, proudly sponsored by...

This week saw the successful launch of the National Retail Association's State of the Retail Nation forums, proudly sponsored by REST Industry Super. Retailers from across multiple sectors met to hear from industry professionals and to share insight at breakfast briefings in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, plus an online webinar. NRA CEO...

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Message from the CEO: 27 March 2017

In everything that your association does for the retail industry, we have the interests of our members, and all...

In everything that your association does for the retail industry, we have the interests of our members, and all retailers, as our top priority.  This has been particularly true throughout the Fair Work Commission hearings in relation to Sunday penalty rates, and it remains true as that issue continues...

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Retailers call for respect for independent umpire, as Labor moves to overrule FWC penalty rates decision

MEDIA RELEASE The National Retail Association (NRA) has warned that Labor’s private members bill, introduced to parliament today to block...

MEDIA RELEASE The National Retail Association (NRA) has warned that Labor’s private members bill, introduced to parliament today to block the Fair Work Commission’s reduction in Sunday penalty rates, sets a dangerous precedent for all independent ruling bodies across the nation. NRA CEO Dominique Lamb said that leveraging political interests to...

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Message from the CEO: 20 March 2017

This week, the Federal Opposition has indicated it will move a private members bill to retrospectively legislate against any...

This week, the Federal Opposition has indicated it will move a private members bill to retrospectively legislate against any cuts to penalty rates, after the independent Fair Work Commission’s ruling of a reduction in five out of the 122 modern awards. While it was an entirely independent decision, made by...

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Message from the CEO: 13 March 2017

A fortnight on from the penalty rates decision, the accompanying discourse seems to be taking on a life of...

A fortnight on from the penalty rates decision, the accompanying discourse seems to be taking on a life of its own, and devaluing the lengthy and carefully-considered processes behind the decision from the Fair Work Commission. I’ve been particularly saddened to see this independent decision politicised and brandished as a weapon...

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Transition for Sunday penalty rates still undecided

The NRA is dedicated to keeping members informed of any changes that are likely to affect their businesses following...

The NRA is dedicated to keeping members informed of any changes that are likely to affect their businesses following the recent penalty rates decision made by the Fair Work Commission. The changes to public holiday penalty rates will take effect on 1 July 2017 and the variation of the early...

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Message from the CEO: 27 February 2017

As you are all aware, last week Fair Work Commission President Justice Iain Ross handed down the Commission’s verdict...

As you are all aware, last week Fair Work Commission President Justice Iain Ross handed down the Commission’s verdict on Sunday penalty rates across a range of industries, including retail and fast food. The NRA is supportive of this decision on behalf of our members. However we are concerned by the...

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Message from the CEO: 30 January 2017

The long-awaited decision on weekend penalty rates in the retail and hospitality sectors is right around the corner, however...

The long-awaited decision on weekend penalty rates in the retail and hospitality sectors is right around the corner, however the Federal Opposition has reignited debate this week after saying the ALP would move to change the law on the penalty rates, if the decision is to reduce Sunday overtime...

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Message from the CEO: 26 September 2016

The NRA has this week led a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison,...

The NRA has this week led a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison, Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, and Queensland Senator James McGrath, to discuss the Coalition’s second term agenda, and to further expand on ways to reduce regulatory burdens which reduce business profitability,...

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