Sunday penalties to be protected under FWA review: Shorten
SIMON BENSON September 18, 2012 News Limited Network Should they be sacred? PENALTY rates for Sunday workers will be protected, the Federal Government ruling out a watering down ahead of a major review of industrial awards. Its submission to the Fair Work Australia review has committed the Government to the current penalty rates system, worth up to $100 extra in the pay packet of the typical Sunday worker. Despite intense pressure from the retail and hospitality industries to abolish penalty rates for Sundays, the Government has ruled out changes which would leave workers worse off. The move is likely to be met with renewed threats from some businesses that they may be forced to close on Sundays without changes to wage premiums, which they claim is making them uncompetitive. Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten has not only rejected calls for their abolition, but said the Government had considered the views…
Read MoreFood-labelling bill puts Greens in hot water
Richard Willingham September 18, 2012 The Age THE major parties have lashed the Greens for rushing in a bill to change country of origin food-labelling rules, without consulting them or properly analysing the impact on the food processing sector. The Greens yesterday introduced legislation to Parliament that would define country of origin labelling to better reflect where raw produce originated. At present, if more than half of the packaging costs are incurred in Australia and goods have been substantially processed here, regardless of where the basic produce is from, the item can be labelled ”made in”. The bill is based on a 2011 review of Australia and New Zealand’s food-labelling standards. The Greens say it will help people who want to buy Australian products, and local farmers. AUSVEG, which represents 9000 vegetable and potato growers, and consumer group Choice have welcomed the bill. Choice, however, warned the Greens Australians still…
Read MoreAussies smoking less but are fatter
AAP September 11, 2012 YOUNG Australians are smoking less but as a nation our waistlines are growing, a new report into health risk factors shows. The report, released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), compared key risk factors for health including being overweight, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption over time. AIHW spokeswoman Lynelle Moon said these were the key risk factors for diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Dr Moon said monitoring the risk factors was important in guiding and targeting preventive health interventions. While there was good news in the past decade, with smoking rates falling substantially among young people, particularly teenagers, there were a number of areas of concern. The report revealed between 1995 and 2007-08 body mass index and waist circumference among adults rose, resulting in higher rates of overweight Australians and obesity…
Read More‘Soda Ban Explained’
Casey Neistat September 9, 2012 The New York Times Soda Ban Explained: The filmmaker Casey Neistat presents a guide to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposal to restrict sales of big sugary drinks in New York. I don’t drink much soda, I don’t buy Big Gulps, and my body mass index is right where it should be. Until the public hearing on July 24, I had largely ignored Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposed ban on large, sugary drinks because it would have no effect on my daily life. It was watching supporters of the ban struggle to articulate exactly what it would mean that motivated me to educate myself and ultimately make a movie about it. The proposal is best conveyed visually, not verbally. To start — the proposed ban on large, sugary drinks isn’t really a ban on anything. Even if the New York City Board of Health passes the…
Read MoreNew initiatives needed to deter drive-offs
September 5, 2012 While the Victorian Police Commissioner has called for the introduction of pre-paid petrol systems to counter drive-off thefts, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) says a more consistent national approach that doesn’t jeopardise the convenience of the customer or the operator is required, as convenience is the key competitive advantage these stores have. New initiatives needed to deter drive offs 050912
Read MoreVegie farmers find cyber sales fruitful
Grant Jones September 05, 2012 The Daily Telegraph VEGIE shopping has become a virtual reality of modern life, with Australia’s $108 billion food and grocery sector set to be one of the next boom industries. While many bricks-and-mortar retailers have had a tough year, an IBISWorld report said online shopping would grow by 10.2 per cent to $10.4 billion in 2012 – about 5 per cent of the total retail sector. Woolworths, including BIG W, Dan Murphy’s and Cellarmasters, reported a 95 per cent increase in online shopping in the past year and there were 2.3 million downloads of Woolworths apps, including the supermarket shopping app. “It’s a new era of retailing and Woolworths is responding to this with a range of different options to enable customers to shop at their convenience – be that in store, on their phones or online,” head of Woolworths online Roger Steele said. But…
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