While the south east is Melbourne’s manufacturing hub, many Australian manufacturing businesses nevertheless utilise Chinese manufacturers for some products or components.  A recent decision of the Supreme Court of the People’s Republic of China is likely to significantly affect those arrangements in the future. China is a country with an unusual trade mark law.  Most… Read More →

Victoria’s industrial manslaughter laws will come into effect no later than 1 July 2020 (unless the government proclaims that it will come into effect earlier). The implications of the amendments are that significant penalties, including imprisonment, will apply to corporations or persons who engage in negligent conduct that breaches OHS obligations causing the death of… Read More →

Have you received a patent infringement letter? No one likes receiving a letter claiming that they, or their business, are infringing a patent. It is typically a surprise, and almost always disruptive. So, what should you do if you ever receive one? Well, there are two things you shouldn’t do: (a) don’t panic; and (b)… Read More →

A large percentage of organizations are unaware they are directly affected by the new Victorian requirement to hold a Labour Hire Licence, or that their business is required to be monitoring labour hire licenses of their service providers.     Does your business contract the services of labour providers to obtain manpower for your enterprise?… Read More →

Workers compensation is a complex and often costly part of running a business. Ever changing legislation in this area can make it difficult for employers to manage, and subject them to harsh penalties for non-compliance.  What affects my workers compensation premium?   Workers compensation premiums, and how they are calculated, are complex. Many businesses don’t… Read More →

Achieving certification to the Australian or international standards for occupational health and safety or environmental management systems does not mean that a business is automatically compliant with its legal duties under OHS or environmental law.   Over the years, we have provided advice to businesses of all sizes. When we ask business owners or directors… Read More →

Owners who ponders over selling their business does not always do so out of financial desperation or trouble, often because they are looking for the next opportunity or are future planning. Current climate conditions are producing a “sellers market”, read on for the contributing factors:   Investors are facing extremely low or negative interest rates and… Read More →