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Over the years, ICA has carried a wide range of articles on important issues for independent contractors, including a significant number of submissions. Major topics include:
Last updated: September 2008
Superannuation
Submission to Treasury 2006
(Click here for ICA submission)
ICA Chairman Angela MacRae made a submission to Treasury which argued for simplicity in super arrangements and equity for independent contractors and the self-employed.
Workers' Compensation
NSW Review 2005
(Click here for ICA submission)
NSW is reviewing its workers' compensation provisions which 'deem' independent contractors to be in the workcover scheme. The 'deeming' provisions have been causing high levels of confusion. ICA has made a submission to the review.
South Australian Review 2003
(Click here for ICA submission [185k PDF])
The South Australian government conducted a review of workers' compensation with part of the focus on independent contractors. ICA made a submission highlighting independent contractors' rights.
Occupational Health and Safety
National Review 2008
(Click here for ICA submission)
ICA's response to the May 2008 Issues Paper concerning a National Model for producing harmonised occupational health and safety regimes across the country.
NSW Discussion paper 2005
(Click here for ICA submission)
The NSW government conducted a review into OHS laws with the release of a discussion paper. ICA made a submission emphasising the importance of applying the 'Robens principles' consistently and fairly.
Victorian Review 2003
(Click here for ICA submission)
The Victorian government conducted a review into OHS laws with part of the focus on independent contractors. ICA made a submission discussing how independent contractors fit within the broad objectives of safety at work.
After the Maxwell Report was published in March 2004, ICA made a further response in June 2004. Click here for ICA's response.
Other OHS materials
Independent Contractors of Australia, The Victorian Crimes (Workplace Deaths and Serious Injuries) Bill 2001. (March 2002)
Robert Gottliebsen, Scattergun Shot at Liability a Deadly Game (reprinted from The Australian, 12 March 2002).
Trade Practices Law
Click here for ICA's 1st Cole Commission submission (155k PDF, September 2002)
Click here for ICA's 2nd Cole Commission submission (78k PDF, November 2002)
Click here for Dawson Review submission (140k PDF, June 2002)
The Cole Royal Commission into the building industry involved the need to consider trade practices issues. As independent contractors are heavily regulated through the Trade Practices Act, ICA made a submission to the building inquiry. The Federal government also conducted a review into aspects of the Trade Practices Act through the Dawson Committee and ICA made a submission.
Insolvency Laws (August 2003)
(Click here for ICA submission)
ICA was invited by the Senate committee inquiry into insolvency laws to make a submission. ICA emphasized the need for quick and cheap legal systems to resolve payment and other disputes.
Owner-Drivers
Sham TWU Protest, March 2006
ICA criticized the TWU's truck 'Crawl' over Sydney Harbour Bridge, describing it as a 'sham'. Click here for the TWU press release and ICA's response.
Federal Government 2005
ICA completed considerable research on the likely effects that the Independent Contractors Act would have on owner-drivers and submitted a briefing note to the Federal Government. Click here for the briefing note.
Victorian Review 2003
ICA made two submissions to Industrial Relations Victoria's Owner-Drivers Inquiry---the first in June 2004 and the second, in October 2004, in response to the Inquiry's request for further information.
Click here for ICA's original submission. (June 2004)
Click here for ICA's follow-up submission. (October 2004)
South Australia IR Act
Summary (March 2005)
The SA IR Bill was passed after nearly 18 months of controversy. Fortunately for independent contractors, the provision 4(a) that would have denied us common-law rights to be independent contractors was rejected in the Upper House. Unfortunately, the 'outworker' provisions of the Act were passed, which turns any independent contractor who runs a SA home business into an employee of their clients. ICA believes that this has large potential to damage the ability of SA business people who operate from home to attract clients. Click here for a brief history.
Related links
Click here for an important article on the South Australian situation by Australia's leading business commentator, Robert Gottliebsen. (November 2004)
Click here for ICA's second submission (November 2004) [50k PDF].
Click here for the SA Government's October draft bill [150k PDF].
Click here for ICA's original submission (February 2004).
Click here for a selection of community views. (May 2004)
Click here for the DEWR submission. (February 2004)
Small Business Protection
ICA has made a submission to a Victorian Review of small business policy. Our main point is that small businesses/independent contractors find greatest protection when governments ensure that free commercial markets are operating properly. Click here for ICA's submission. (August 2005)
Tasmania
Independent Contractors of Australia, Submission to Review of Tasmania Industrial Relations Act 1984. (PDF file: 45k, September 2004)
Independent Contractors of Australia, Retrospective Payroll Tax in Tasmania. (PDF file: 30k, November 2003)
Hollis vs Vabu Case
The Hollis vs Vabu case was one of the most important common-law cases of the last decade. Click here for the full text of the decision. [130k PDF file]
Tax Issues: Historic
Tax and Independent Contractors: a Brief History (2002)
ATO Statement: Independent Contractors' Test (2002)
UK Tax Info for Independent Contractors (2004)
General articles/Op eds/Other submissions
Bob Day, The Workforce SuperHighway. (An Address to the AFR Industrial Relations Event, 30th March, 2005.)
Bob Day, Make youth work a binding experience. (Originally published in The Australian on 18 January 2005.)
Bob Day, Contract Bridge. (PDF file: 310k, September 2002)
Robert Gottliebsen, Contracting Made Easier (reprinted from The Australian, 8-9 September 2001.
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