VGSO publications and news

Lead Counsel Sylvia Cecchin reflects on the value of working in the public sector and the opportunities it brings.

Departments and agencies need to update their contracts and processes to reflect these changes.

This bulletin provides an introduction to several grounds of legal privilege and waiver of legal privilege.

In this bulletin, we recap how coronial investigations and inquests are conducted in Victoria and provide responses to questions posed by the audience during our recent seminar.

An introduction to the Victorian court system and the power of each court to hear matters within their respective jurisdictions.

Registrar's Caveats in Victoria are rare tools to halt land transactions under specific conditions, like preventing fraud or correcting errors.

Q/A responses and further resources for the VGSO webinar held on 7 August 2024.

The right to disconnect commences on 26 August 2024. What does this encompass? And how will it operate for the Victorian Public Sector?

The proposed OHS Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations clarify employer duties on psychosocial hazards, boost workplace safety, and introduce new reporting and prevention requirements.

Changes to wages, casual employment, flexible work and fixed term employment will impact Victorian public service employers from 19 August 2024 following the introduction of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.

If you are responsible for procurement and/or funding for Victorian Government departments and agencies, you need to be aware of what's changing in the Fair Jobs Code.

Australia's National AI Assurance Framework, launched June 21, 2024, sets governance standards for AI across federal, state, and territory levels, ensuring safe deployment in Victoria's public sector.

Does the Australian Consumer Law/Unfair Contract regime apply to the State? How does this impact corporate, commercial and property transactions and procurements? When does the State 'carry on a business'?

Our annual Year in Review webinar was presented by the VGSO's Workplace Relations and Occupational Safety team. Following this we had a number of questions that we have consolidated and answered.

The new eServices Register has recently been made available on the Digital Marketplace.

On Friday 1 September 2023, the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 came into operation as result of a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System Final Report

Draft Regulations have been proposed under the OHS Act which bring into sharp focus the increasing emphasis on the management of workplace psychological health hazards.

Consolidated questions following the VGSO webinar 'Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - An update for the Victorian Public Sector on latest developments' on 23 August 2023.

Summary of a key recent change to the Fair Work Act 2009 and other important matters that should be on the radar of Victorian Public Sector employers.

The Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs Better Pay) Act 2022 (Cth) has introduced a number of changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) that come into effect from 6 June 2023.

On 6 December 2022, the Federal Government's Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022 received Royal Assent (Amendment Act).

Electricity Networks Corporation (trading as Western Power) v Herridge Parties [2022] HCA 37 marks the conclusion of a lengthy negligence dispute involving a statutory corporation.

The State of Victoria (State) is routinely a party to litigation involving actions by employees in respect of which the State may be found to be vicariously liable.

In September 2022, the Honourable Justice Cavanough of the Supreme Court of Victoria addressed what happens when requirements under the Land Act 1958 are not fulfilled before a Crown Lease is granted.

Key changes relevant to all Victorian public sector employers proposed in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022.

This bulletin explores how statutory corporations are established, what they can do and how they are regulated.

On 11 July 2022, the Victorian Government published its response to the Ministerial Taskforce on Workplace Sexual Harassment (Taskforce) and there are likely to be significant reforms in this area.

On 10 August 2022, the Victorian Government launched the Fair Jobs Code (FJC).

The Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) (Wrongs Act) is the principal statute in Victoria governing claims for damages for personal injury and death as a result of negligence or fault, in cases other than workplace

On Tuesday 5 July 2022 Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (COVID-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations 2022 (Vic) were made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) (OHS Act).

A VGSO introduction to suppression and pseudonym orders and exploring the considerations that are likely to be taken into account by a court before implementing such an order.

This case is in relation to a negligence claim brought by a former solicitor in the Specialist Sexual Offences Unit of the Victorian Office of Public Prosecutions.

This bulletin provides an introduction to several grounds of legal privilege and waiver of legal privilege.

The Fair Work Commission has rejected a challenge to BHP's COVID-19 vax verification requirements for its coal mine sites, dismissing arguments to the effect that employees' consent is not 'real'.

Changes to OHS legislation to take effect on 22 March 2022. The changes will affect all Victorian Public Sector employers who enter into or have existing labour hire arrangements.

A HOA is used during the negotiation stage of a lease and allows the parties to formally recognise the key terms.

Victorian public sector agencies and bodies subject to Part 4 of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) (PDP Act) must comply with the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards (VPDSS).

The draft Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Psychological Health) Regulations and an accompanying regulatory impact statement have been released for public comment (until 31 March 2022).

This bulletin provides an introduction to contribution and explores practical matters to consider when bringing a contribution claim.

The Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2022 were made on Tuesday 1 February 2022.

Following an announcement in early December 2021, the new Building Equality Policy has been published. Its aim is to improve representation of women in the construction industry.

The defining workplace issue for 2021 has without any doubt been mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

Three key Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issues that should be on the radar of the Victorian Public Sector in 2022.

On 13 November 2021, the Fair Work Commission refused an application for interim relief in the matter of Nazih Beydoun & Ors v Northern Health & Ors [2021] FWC 6341.

A summary of the amendments made to the Major Transport Project Facilitation Act 2009.

In October 2021, the Full Bench of the High Court of Australia delivered judgment in Charisteas v Charisteas [2021] HCA 29.

A recent prosecution in Queensland highlights how important it is for individual employees in the Health and Aged Care sectors to comply with their obligations, or face personal liability.

In this bulletin, we recap how coronial investigations and inquests are conducted in Victoria and provide responses to questions posed by the audience during our recent seminar.

Significant changes to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation passed the Parliament and received Royal Assent this week, introducing changes affecting all Victorian Public Sector employers.

OVIC has released a report into Impediments to Timely FOI and Information Release. The report analyses the system, processes and performance of several FOI agencies.

The Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme Regulations 2021 were made on Tuesday 24 August 2021.

The High Court released its long-awaited decision in WorkPac Pty Ltd v Rossato [2021] HCA 23 where it unanimously overturned a decision of the Full Federal Court.

In a case whether to require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, the Fair Work Commission has upheld another dismissal of an employee who refused a mandatory flu vaccination.

Victoria's new environmental regulatory regime will come into effect on 1 July 2021.

It is important to understand the eServices Register Contract's purpose and scope to determine whether your Department or agency should use it when procuring IT services.

The report envisages a fundamental restructuring of mental health care, recommending major changes to funding, infrastructure and service delivery.

It's not uncommon to hear people in Australia talk about their 'right to freedom of speech'.

The Intellectual Property Guidelines (Guidelines) support the Whole of Victorian Government Intellectual Property Policy Intent and Principles (IP Policy).

What happens when a State law conflicts with a Commonwealth law? Section 109 of the Constitution provides the answer (at least in theory!).

The Commonwealth Constitution establishes the Commonwealth and continues the existence of the former colonies as States. However, at least textually, it leaves open many questions about the interaction of the Commonwealth and the States.

Key changes to the Retail Leases Act 2003 as of Thursday 1 October 2020.

In a landmark case, the High Court has upheld appeals in relation to the proper calculation of the entitlement to take paid personal or carer's leave.

The Civil Procedure Act 2010 (Vic) imposes behavioural obligations on all litigants in civil proceedings.

Occupational Health and Safety (COVID-19 Incident Notification) Regulations 2020 require employers and self-employed persons to notify WorkSafe when they become aware of COVID-19 in their workplace.

On 1 July 2020, Victoria joins the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and the Northern Territory in having specific health and safety manslaughter laws in place.

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruption and we have developed a short check-list to assist Government organisations to mitigate their risks when procuring technology-related goods and services.

What the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) (Commercial Leases and Licences) Regulations 2020 mean for Government landlords.

Key changes to the Act regarding the COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020.

The way in which Victorian courts and tribunals operate has changed dramatically in response to social distancing requirements.

The Minister for Small Business has made a determination that the Retail Leases Act 2003 does not apply to leases of farm premises for commercial farming or agricultural purposes.

The State of Victoria is routinely sued in litigation. The vast majority of tortious claims involve a plaintiff suing several defendants, including the State.

An introduction to the Victorian court system and the power of each court to hear matters within their respective jurisdictions.