NEWS DESK
Record penalty over labour AN unlicensed labour hire company that provided workers to farms in Rosebud, Devon Meadows, Koo Wee Rup and Torquay has been issued a total penalty of $617,916 – the highest in Australian history for breaches of labour hire law. A L Star Express, of Keysborough, was found to have knowingly and repeatedly contravened the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018 (Vic) when it supplied workers to four separate horticulture businesses, without holding a labour hire licence. The workers were provided to pick fruit and vegetables and perform other horticulture tasks. In its judgement, the Supreme Court of Victoria noted that the contraventions “must be characterised as serious”, that the penalty “needs to be sufficiently high not to be the ‘price of doing business’”, and that licensing obligations could not be avoided by supplying workers through an intermediary business. “I refer to the knowing and repeated nature
of the contraventions, and the extent of the contraventions, namely over several months, and affecting at least sixteen workers,” the judgement stated. As well as prosecuting alleged contraventions of the Act, the Labour Hire Authority, which led the prosecutions, can remove labour hire providers’ ability to operate in Victoria by refusing, suspending, or cancelling their licence. Licensing commissioner Steve Dargavel said labour hire workers picking fruit and vegetables were among Victoria’s most vulnerable and it was critical that the companies employing them were appropriately vetted and licensed to operate. “Dodgy labour hire providers who pay workers as little as $17 an hour have no place in our industry and will be held to account,” he said. “Significant penalties also apply for engaging unlicensed labour hire providers, so Victorian businesses should always check the LHA website to ensure their provider holds a current licence.”
Monash joins lobby group MONASH University is the latest “partner” to be signed up by the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula. To be known as a community partner member, the committee’s CEO Josh Sinclair said Monash “will provide valuable expertise and advice towards developing our strategic plan and advocacy objectives”. The committee’s other community partner is Mornington Peninsula Shire. Once regarded solely as a business lobby group, the committee describes itself as being “the peak advocacy body for Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula”. The committee’s website lists 11 “corporate gold” members, 20 corporate, 14 small business,
14 not for profit and three associations. Other education providers on the committee include Toorak College, Woodleigh School, Balcombe Grammar, Peninsula Grammar, Mornington Secondary College and Frankston Mornington Peninsula Local Learning and Employment Network. Originally a teachers' college, Monash's Peninsula campus was previously known as the State College at Frankston. Following talks with Caulfield Institute of Technology in the early 1980s, the college became the Frankston campus of the newly formed Chisholm Institute of Technology in 1982. In 1990, the Peninsula and Caulfield campuses of Chisholm Institute amalgamated with Monash University.
Toy joy: Sponsors, supporters, toy makers and community group leaders with a selection of this year’s toys made by Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula. Inset: Toys are sorted before distribution to the needy.
Toys on time for Christmas TOY makers from the Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula held their annual toy handover on Thursday 29 November at the workshop off Elizabeth Avenue in Rosebud. The group has a membership of 96 men and women, 15 of whom are the dedicated toy makers. They meet each Wednesday to craft wonderful toys, with some taking them home to complete. Some of the toy makers manufacture their toys at home and
bring them in for the distribution day. This year more than 500 toys were donated to Rosebud Salvation Army, Rosebud Food for All, and Mornington Community Support Centre. The group is not a men’s shed and new members are welcome to join as toymakers or to learn woodturning and furniture making. Call the Woodworkers of the Southern Peninsula president Rod Brews on 0492 952 052. Barry Irving
WHAT’S NEW...
Late night shopping for Sorrento ‘TIS the season to be jolly’ and in Sorrento Village, we’re embracing this festive spirit with a special shopping extravaganza on Friday, 8 December. Join us as we keep our doors open until 8pm for a magical Christmas Late Night Shopping experience. ‘We encourage locals and visitors alike to experience twilight Christmas shopping in Sorrento Village. This is the perfect opportunity to get a taste of what Sorrento has offer for your Christmas gift shopping, said Krysten Le Marshall, Sorrento Chamber of Commerce President. Stores are extending hours to 8 pm, offering discounts, sip-and-shop events, and in-store prize draws. “We want our Village buzzing with people, with families, enjoying the community Christmas Spirit in town,” says Krysten. “We want children to come out and place a ribbon on the
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Southern Peninsula News
6 December 2023
Christmas tree so that it becomes a tree of and for our Community.” Sorrento Village introduces a ‘shop and win’ promo: buy between 5 pm and 8 pm for a chance to win a $400 InterContinental voucher and a bundle of gifts donated from our Sorrento stores. 3MP will spread Christmas cheer with live broadcasting from Sorrento Village, while the Chamber hosts a community ‘Dress the Christmas tree’ event during Late Night Shopping. We look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy the Christmas Late Night Shopping experience in Sorrento Village, where the joy of Christmas will come to life in every store! Participating stores and offers can be found at sorrento.org.au. Follow us on #officialsorrentovillage and FB Sorrento Village.
