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Mutual banks announce intention to merge
P & N Bank and Beyond Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intending to merge. The customer-based banks collectively have 450,000 members and if the merger goes through, the new entity will create one of Australia’s largest customer-owned banks. Key components of the merger include the merged entity servicing a vast metropolitan and...
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Financial planning: associate to provisional adviser
The financial advice industry has faced many challenges in recent years due to the Corporations Amendment (Professional Standards of Financial Advisers) Act 2017 commencing and introducing reforms to the Corporations Act 2001 (Corporations Act), to raise the education, training and ethical standards of financial advisers. Financial advisers must complete an approved qualification at the tertiary...
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Australian Information Commissioner suing cyber-hacked Medibank
Health insurer Medibank is facing a possible maximum fine in the trillions of dollars as a result of a 2022 data breach. The Australian Information Commissioner filed proceedings against the insurer for failing to protect its customers’ data with the action welcomed by cyber security experts and former customers. The Office of the Information Commissioner...
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4-day work week in review
As reported in HR Leader, a hot topic in 2023 was a 4-day work week which many companies chose to trial. ESS Shipping introduced the 4-day week to eligible staff and followed the 100-80-100 model, effectively implementing a strategy in which workers receive 100 per cent of pay, for 80 per cent time at work...
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Funding for female-led and regional innovation programs
The WA Government has awarded $547,300 to six WA innovators, as part of the latest round of the X-TEND WA grants. X-TEND WA is a program within the New Industries Fund, that supports new and emerging innovative businesses across WA. Recipients in this round include organisations delivering five regionally based programs and a female-led company...
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Five generations in the workplace: Managing perceptions and challenges
A recent People at Work study by ADP has revealed that there are for the first time, five different generations in the workforce driving innovation and success at the workplace. The different characteristics of each generation are forcing HR leaders to examine and understand the differences between the generations while making use of their commonalities to ensure organisations...
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WA procurement reforms to deliver better outcomes in construction
The WA Government, through its Safe and Fair Reform Package, aims to reform procurement processes for non-residential government building projects thus promoting a more sustainable building and construction industry in WA. The reform package follows recommendations from stakeholders in the building and construction industry and aims to support industry navigate a challenging environment with labour...
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Unions call for workers to be at the core of AI regulation
HR Leader reports AI is present in nearly every industry with increasing adoption of AI in global workplaces. As a result, global workplaces need to consider the group most affected by the changes in AI regulation and adoption – the workers. The ACTU is calling for a “worker-centred approach” and recommends including workers in the...
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Pathways to post-secondary school success
The WA Government is inviting the public to comment on the Pathways to Post-School Success Report: Consultation Draft. The senior secondary school pathways review aims to ensure Western Australian students have training and study pathways to reach their full potential. The draft report reflects the extensive engagement undertaken with a broad range of stakeholders and...
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WA rent reforms to modernise tenancy laws
The WA Government has introduced tenancy reforms including a ban on rent bidding. As a result of the reforms, tenants or property agents will be banned from asking tenants to pay more money to secure an available rental property. The laws will give tenants the confidence to enforce their rights without retaliatory action such as...
