NEWS DESK
Record penalty over labour
Rescued kangaroo: This young kangaroo was injured and trapped until rescuers came to his aid. Picture: Supplied
Trapped kangaroo released A YOUNG male kangaroo has been saved from a tragic end after being trapped for three days on a Balnarring property and harassed by dogs. The kangaroo was relentlessly pursued by neighbouring dogs, leading to a painful encounter with a fence and visible injuries. A rescue team from Vets For Compassion was able to sedate the terrified animal, after it was seen hiding in a secluded corner of a paddock. VFC vet and founder Elaine Ong examined the kangaroo, whose injuries included scratches on his legs and a small patch of missing fur on his shoulder. Fortunately, there were no puncture wounds or signs of a serious dog attack, which could have led to bacterial infections or stressrelated conditions like capture myopathy. After receiving essential treatments and a warm wrap for comfort, the kangaroo was released into safer, suitable habitat nearby. Ong said the release was a moment of joy and relief for everyone involved. On 9 November a kangaroo was euthanised
on the beach at Dromana after apparently being chased and attacked by a dog (Fatal end to kangaroo’s beach visit, The News 14/11/23). In the wake of that incident dog owners were again reminded of the need to keep their pets on leashes or under control in public areas. VFC is a volunteer organisation dedicated to improving animal welfare within Australia. Vets and assistants rescue and treat animals in emergency response during natural disasters, and work to reduce the suffering of stray animals. The not-for-profit also assists ethical animal welfare groups in underdeveloped countries in a range of programs by upskilling and providing hands-on support to other vets. Vets For Compassion is holding a Night of Compassion fundraising event on Saturday 9 December at Ash Marton Realty, Frankston. The money raised will help vets and animal rescue professionals respond to daily emergency animal calls across Melbourne. Register as trybooking.com/CMPHK
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.
Western Port News 6 December 2023
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