The Australian Government needs to take a proactive approach to opening up African resources for Australian businesses.

This decision has immediate implications for the patentability of computer-implemented methods and computer programs.

The preparation of a crisis management plan and its implementation by trained individuals will help to minimise damage.

The recent tough economic climate has seen a number of high-profile companies forced to take action to remain competitive.

These changes are being phased in to ensure that existing companies have time to comply with the new requirements.

Two recent decisions dealing with right of entry protocol to the workplace.

The past two months have provided some important milestones for industrial relations in Australia. The "Fair Work Act 2009" (Cth) received Royal Assent on 7 April 2009 after marathon sittings in Parliament.

A lender has had its level of contributory negligence increased on appeal, from 25% to 50%.

The amendments are relevant for fathers and same-sex partners, who can now claim two weeks of paid paternity leave.

Employers should not easily rely on the outcome of this case until the matter has been considered by a higher court.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced an investigation into work experience placements, internships and unpaid trials.

The article outlines guidelines that employers can use to consider and respond to requests for flexibile work practices.

In August Avalon Minerals Limited announced a 1 for 1 non-renounceable rights issue underwritten by its largest shareholder.

Recent reports have examined medical indemnity claims in the public and private sectors.

Discusses utility model patents versus invention patents in China.

Across the globe organisations are contending with the latest technology panacea – cloud computing.

China is currently witnessing an extended government campaign to tackle corruption on an unprecedented scale.

The Victorian Government recently introduced the Crime Amendment (Bullying) Bill 2011 into State Parliament, which will provide a maximum jail term of ten years for perpetrators found guilty of workplace bullying.

On 24 February 2011, the Paid Parental Leave (Reduction of Compliance Burden for Employers) Amendment Bill 2010 was voted down by Parliament. This Bill sought to reverse the requirement under the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010 (Cth) (PPL Act) that employers administer Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme payments on behalf of the government by passing on the PPL instalments from the government to an eligible employee.

Employers who receive a notice to produce documents from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and/or the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) often simply hand over large numbers of documents. Sometimes they deliver documents when they do not need to do so.