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Category: Legal Alerts
Notifications of new or amended legislation and regulations that affect the University’s legal compliance obligations. Areas of the University that may be affected by a change in legislation will also be notified via email.
Service yourself on the Legal and Risk website
Legal and Risk standard templates and resources are now available in one location on the new Legal and Risk Self Service Portal. The resources have been developed to help you to confidently manage your obligations at the University. Whether you are managing risks, coordinating a contract, wondering how local or federal laws apply to you, […]
Connecting the dots – Should declared interests be registered under the Commonwealth’s Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme?
With the commencement of another Planning Development and Review cycle supervisors may receive declarations by staff of conflicts of interest, or become aware of someone seeking to exert undue influence over staff members’ activities. If not acknowledged and properly managed, conflicts of interest or undue influence can significantly detract from staff performance and undermine the […]
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Not all quiet on the quarantine front – recent penalties are loud and clear.
Researchers who deal with quarantine status materials should take note of the recent prosecution of a Brisbane transport company found to have breached their biosecurity obligations. Late last year, the Brisbane District Court found the company guilty of numerous offences for the way they dealt with quarantine status materials.
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Are you contracting for services? Some myths and regulatory truths about your contractor’s entitlements.
If you are engaging an individual or a sole trader to perform, present or complete some work for you, there are some common myths about contractual relationships you shouldn’t believe. Myth 1: I don’t have to make a superannuation payment on behalf of a contractor with an ABN (Australian Business Number).
Act on wrongdoing and be ICAC aware
Officers of the University have have a crucial role to play in promoting integrity within the University and calling out wrongdoing. All university personnel should be familiar with the University’s Reporting Suspected Wrongdoing webpage. You should also be aware that you have legal obligations under the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act to report any reasonable […]
2019: a new year for copyright protection
With the New Year, amendments to the Copyright Act 1968 commenced. As of 1 January 2019, copyright duration has become standardised across all types of works in Australia regardless of whether they were in the public domain or not. Until now, duration of copyright terms applied only to work that had been made public. Works […]
International Anti-Corruption Day reminder: If you see it, report it!
Last Sunday – 9 December 2018 – was International Anti-Corruption Day. The Day serves to remind everyone that fraud, bribery and corruption are unpalatable features of the global and domestic economies which undermine opportunities for fair exchanges between countries, organisations and individuals. The United Nations has identified the negative impact corruption has on education, health, […]
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Commencement of Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme
The Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme introduces a new registration requirement for anyone acting on behalf of a foreign entity where the intended purpose is to influence political outcomes. The Scheme commences on Monday, 10 December 2018. The Scheme has been designed to ensure anyone exerting such influence on Australian government policies or democratic processes does […]
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ICAC hones in on private email accounts – again
The Independent Commissioner Against Corruption has again cautioned public officers about using private email accounts for business purposes in his latest annual report (2017/18). There is nothing wrong with private email accounts in and of themselves, but the Commissioner’s point is that they are not an appropriate medium for official business transactions and records. Persistent […]
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Notifiable Event reporting – on time, every time
All personnel at the University have a responsibility to report Notifiable Events as and when they happen. This duty of disclosure extends to staff, students, titleholders, volunteers, visitors, contractors and staff of Controlled Entities.