Bosses have the power to force employees to take the vaccine: experts
Normal text size
Advertisement
Two of Australia s leading authorities on labour law say businesses have the power to compel their staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 under workplace laws that enable them to make lawful and reasonable directions to employees.
But employers are looking to the federal government to provide clear direction before testing this complex area of the legal system, wary of being seen to infringing on individual rights.
Discussions between the government, unions and businesses on the vaccine rollout, which is expected to begin in March, have already started but are not yet at a formal level.
In October, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk emerged as the most successful female politician in Australian history, when she became the first woman to win three elections in a row. (File photo:Annastacia Palaszczuk MP/Facebook)
It has been both a remarkably good and remarkably bad year for Australian women.
Their leadership in Australian politics and public life has been more prominent and successful than ever before. Yet the pandemic has set back the broad swathe of women at home, in education and in the workplace.
A new golden age
First the good news. In 2020 we have entered something of a golden age for women in political leadership.
It has been both a remarkably good and remarkably bad year for Australian women.
Their leadership in Australian politics and public life has been more prominent and successful than ever before. Yet the pandemic has set back the broad swathe of women at home, in education and in the workplace.
A new golden age
First the good news. In 2020 we have entered something of a golden age for women in political leadership.
In October, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk emerged as the most successful female politician in Australian history, when she became the first woman to win three elections in a row.
State Government acquires childhood home of Bob Hawke
Historic West Leederville property to be owned and maintained as a State asset
Home also to be considered for entry on the State Register of Heritage Places
The State Government has officially purchased the childhood residence of Australia’s 23rd Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, following settlement of the property.
The West Leederville house has had only one owner since Mr Hawke’s parents sold it in 1981, to a buyer who has maintained an awareness of its historic significance. It was purchased by the State Government for $1.45 million.
The brick and tile, inter-war suburban cottage was home to Bob Hawke for much of his formative years. He first moved to the Tate Street address at the age of nine, and resided there with his family while attending Perth Modern School.
Qantas Workers’ High Court Sick Leave Bid
Qantas workers who have been stood down during the COVID-19 pandemic are taking their fight for sick leave to the nation’s highest court.
A Federal Court appeals bench rejected their claim in November, saying that because the employees were not working there was nothing to take leave from. Qantas won an earlier Federal Court case in May.
But the workers say they cannot afford to get by on JobKeeper if they are sick, and they should be able to take sick leave they have accrued and be paid at their usual rates.