Business (Issue 32)

The ‘Transitional’ Quarry Award

For employers who are not covered by WorkChoices (e.g. employers who are not constitutional corporations) their current awards will continue as ‘transitional’ awards.

Transitional awards operate for up to five years from WorkChoices commencement.

Employers covered by transitional awards have five years to decide whether to remain in the federal system (e.g. by incorporating) or move to a state system.

Employers can choose to ‘opt out’ of the transitional system, for example, by making a state agreement.

The Standard does not apply to transitional awards. As a result wages, classifications, annual leave, personal/carer’s leave and parental leave remain in transitional awards.

It is important to ensure that all businesses operating under the Victoria Quarry Award are aware of the latest update which occurred as a result of the decision issued by the Commission in December 2006.

For a copy of the Transitional Award or the recent update please contact the CMPA.

Protecting Australia Against Terrorism

Australia has spent more than $8 billion on security related measures since 2001 and involved all sectors of society in the fight against terrorism, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said.

Mr Ruddock was releasing Protecting Australia Against Terrorism 2006, an update of the 2004 edition that outlined strategies on intelligence, law enforcement, border and transport security, defence and emergency management.

Mr Ruddock also released a booklet, Good Security—Good Business, to raise awareness among small – and medium-sized businesses in the importance of being prepared for any kind of incident, including a terrorist attack.

Protecting Australia Against Terrorism 2006 can be obtained from the National Counter-Terrorism Committee Secretariat (phone: 02 6271 5770) at the website www.pmc.gov.au/publications/index.cfm Copies of Good Security—Good Business can be downloaded from www.tisn.gov.au

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