Workplace investigations undertaken by a Government agency must be conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Investigation Standards 2011 (AGIS). The standards were developed in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police and aim to maintain integrity in any government investigation process. The Standards set out the minimum standards required throughout all stages of an investigation. …
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New Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPR) were released by the Department of Finance on 20 April 2019. These new CPRs apply for any new procurement from their commencement date. The CPRs are a set of rules for most Commonwealth procurements. The changes, in essence, are made to accommodate the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (Cth), international …
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The ACT Planning and Land Authority has lost a case in the ACT Supreme Court where the Applicant, Capital Recycling Solutions, sought an order that a decision to revoke planning approval was void ab initio – or for most of us that aren’t familiar with Latin – had at no time legal validity. This is …
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The Secure Local Jobs Code commenced on 15 January 2019. The Code applies to those in construction, cleaning, security and traffic management services undertaking or seeking to undertake territory-funded work. Any ACT Government contractor must hold a valid Secure Local Jobs Code Certificate: at the time they submit a response to an RFQ, RFP, work …
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In mid-2017 we wrote about the proposed Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill 2017. It was finally passed in October 2018 with the key elements of the proposed bill remaining unchanged. Timing The Act is due to come into effect on 20 April 2019 or an earlier date by proclamation. It covers breaches that take place …
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APP CODE FOR COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES On 1 July 2018, the Privacy (Australian Government Agencies – Governance) APP Code 2017 (the Code) commenced. The Code is designed to enhance the privacy accountability and capability of agencies and is in line with a shift towards a more proactive and vigilant approach to privacy. The Code is specific …
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In light of the recent marriage postal survey, it has become apparent that there is widespread uncertainty regarding the origins of the current legal definition of marriage. Prior to the 2004 amendments, the Marriage Act 1961 contained no definition or mention of the limitations of the institution of marriage, or the exclusion of some foreign …
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It is the Bill that has done the rounds of Parliament and been the subject of much anticipation and commentary. Privacy nerds everywhere (read: Griffin Legal staff) were waiting with bated breath to see if the latest amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) would be passed. On 13 February 2017, the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable …
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There has been a lot of discussion around the proposed changes to the way Commonwealth Government procures goods and services, in the form of the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Bill 2017 (the Bill). The Bill was presented before the House of Represenatives on 25 May 2017. Of great importance is the introduction of a mechinism …
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The importance of performance management to private employers and government departments cannot be overstated. Performance management is more than the process of evaluating and managing employees to ensure that the employer is meeting its obligations. The benefits to effectively managing employees can be wide-reaching to both employers and employees, especially when you consider the huge …
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