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Large Penalty for Wage Underpayment

A sushi restaurant was ordered to pay $355,000 in penalties after the Fair Work Ombudsman (“FWO”) brought a case against them for underpaying employees and falsifying records. Summary The case brought against Delishco Pty Ltd (“the Company”), which operates as ‘Moga Izakaya & Sushi’ in Brisbane, was heard in the Federal Circuit and Family Court. A $305,000 […]

Welcome to our New Senior Solicitor, Peter Hindeleh

This month we extend a warm welcome to our new Senior Solicitor, Peter Hindeleh. Bringing over 5 years’ experience spanning multiple areas of law, including litigation and dispute resolution in all NSW Courts, we look forward to having Peter’s contributions and expertise here at Stevens & Associates Lawyers.   Peter completed a Bachelor of Law […]

Recent Underpayment Case Results in Substantial Penalties

The FWO has secured a total of $204,000 in penalties against the operators of Riddhi Siddhi Pty Ltd (“the Company”), which operates ‘Vege Rama’ – a Brisbane fast food outlet, after the use of false records to disrupt their investigation. Background The FWO investigation into the business was first launched in November of 2020, after […]

Labor’s Industrial Relations Policy – Federal Election 2022

In light of the Labor Party’s recent win in the Federal Election last month, here is a summary of some of the Labor Party’s key Industrial Relations Policy promises they brought forward in their campaign: Wage Rises to Match Inflation During his campaign, now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to back wage growth to match […]

Changes to National Employment Standards Announced in 2022 Budget

On 29 March 2022 Federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced that the Morrison Government’s (the Government) 2022 budget (the Federal Budget) would be extending Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to support new parents. Mr Frydenberg revealed that the government was engaging with key stakeholders in amending the National Employment Standards (NES) to boost redundancy payouts to women […]

Wage Underpayment Targeted

Should the Federal Government Criminalise Wage Theft? There is pressure on the Federal Government to outlaw wage theft as an anti-competitive practice following a Senate inquiry on unlawful unemployment. A majority report by the Economics References Committee released last week by Labor, Greens and Independent Senators made 19 recommendations to stop the unlawful underpayment of […]

Maximum Term Contract leaves referee on the Bench

A General Protections claim before the Fair Work Commission (“FWC”) has been “stopped in its tracks” before it even started. The FWC held that a National Rugby League (“NRL”) referee was not dismissed, but rather, his “maximum-term” 12-month contract expired. It is for this reason that the FWC had no jurisdiction over the matter as […]