EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR BID ON MAJOR SAUDI CINEMA PROJECT
So what does the latest Hollywood smash hit ‘Black Panther’ have to do with furniture? For the first time in 35 years Saudi citizens have been able to go to the movies and the first movie was this blockbuster from Warner Studios which was followed by a major...Consumer Complaints Continue To Rise
When you buy goods or services and they break too easily, don’t work or don’t perform as generally expected, you have rights under the law. The Australian Consumer Law (contained in a schedule to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010) creates a basic set of guarantees...The Frustration Is Killing Us
Every now and then we receive quite lengthy well-thought out comments and feedback from our AFA Members which simply highlights the missed opportunities and ways in which our Members could better access our services. Here is an excerpt from a recent email for your...Australian Industry and Skills Committee – Message From The Chair
As Chair of the Furnishing Industry Reference Committee (IRC) reporting to the federal government, AFA CEO, Patrizia Torelli joined around 90 IRC Chairs and Deputy Chairs who met in Melbourne recently. The focus of the day was on professional development, with...AFARC Expressions Of Interest
The Australasian Furnishing Association (AFA) has established the AFA Regulatory Committee (AFARC) to support the furnishing industry – and the outcomes required to meet furnishing industry quality assurance and regulatory needs. The AFA Regulatory Committee brings...AMAZON may not be the AMAZING solution when it comes to Consumer Safety
Nine in ten Australians said they will purchase from Amazon Australia if it delivers on its lofty promises, according to a study commissioned by parcel delivery service, CouriersPlease. The results of an independent survey of 1,001 Australian adults who have shopped...Four baby cots recalled in one month
The Australasian Furnishing Association is alarmed to learn that four separate baby cots have been recalled the ACCC in just one month. Even more alarming is the fact that all three were sold online. ‘With the impending launch of Amazon into Australia, we’re concerned...THREE THINGS THAT CAN LAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH A FAIR WORK CLAIM
Did you know that in the 2016/2017 Financial Year, the Fair Work Ombudsman resolved nearly 27,000 requests for assistance involving a workplace dispute – this is up 42% from the previous year. 127 claims of unfair dismissal are made against an employer every day and...WARNINGS AND TERMINATION
by John Clements, HR Anywhere Generally, employees perform their duties well and there is no need to take corrective action. However, where an employee is not meeting either performance or behaviour expectations, it is critical to act. Coaching and retraining are...AUSTRALIAN BEAN BAG REGULATION LOOP HOLES CLOSED : ENSURING CHILDREN’S SAFETY
Bean bags are a comfortable addition to any household, but they can pose a serious risk to young children and babies. In the 1990s, several deaths were reported when children unzipped their bean bags and crawled inside. The children inhaled the small, fibrous pellets...LARGE CHUNKS OF AUSTRALIAN FURNITURE GIANT NOW IN HANDS OF CHINESE
Nick Scali managing director Anthony Scali has sold half his shares in his family’s namesake business to Chinese manufacturer KUKA holdings for $77.2 million in a deal that the business says will strengthen relations with a major supplier. Scali reduced his stake in...MODERN ICON REACHES ANOTHER MILESTONE
A great big Happy 95th Birthday to one of Australia’s leading founders of great furniture design and manufacturing and the AFA’s inaugural Master of the Year in 2014. Ian, together with his wife Joyce, celebrate their birthdays this month and we send them our...Penalties of up to 150k for Non Compliance
The Australian Illegal Logging Prohibition Act is now in force.From 1 January 2018, importers of regulated timber products into Australia.