WORKPLACE WATCH – 22ND EDITION by KHQ Lawyers

In this fortnight’s edition of the KHQ Workplace Watch, we cover:

  • the Federal Government appoints a new Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations;
  • the latest developments in health and safety, including Safe Work releasing a new WHS data profile covering
    the nursing, care and support workforce, and a recent prosecution concerning a workplace fatality;
  • recent updates in the Fair Work Commission, including the annual wage review and a number of noteworthy
    decisions concerning drug and alcohol policies, meaning of ‘serious misconduct’, single-day absences for long
    service leave and a particularly contentious ‘same job same pay’ order; and
  • new decisions from the courts regarding portable long service leave and the accrual of annual and personal
    leave for fly-in, fly-out workers.

POST ELECTION UPDATES

New Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations

Following the election, the Albanese Government has unveiled its new Cabinet.

The Hon Amanda Rishworth MP has been appointed as the new Minister for Employment and Workplace
Relations (previous Minister for Social Services). Ms Rishworth MP replaces Senator the Hon Murray Watt, who has been appointed as the new Minister for the Environment and Water.

Senator The Hon Michaelia Cash continues to be the shadow minister.

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