Representatives of Ryde Business Forum, local Chambers of Commerce, the City of Ryde, local Rotary and Lions Clubs and major shopping centres in Ryde met with Member for Bennelong Maxine McKew MP and special guest Dr Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Small Business on 7 May.

The group discussed how business is faring across the City following the initial rollout of the Government’s financial stimulus package.

The Government has kicked off the 2008 Parliamentary year by introducing legislation that will begin the implementation of its Forward with Fairness IR policies.

On 28 March 2008, the Workplace Relations Amendment (Transition to Forward with Fairness) Act 2008 commences operation. This legislation starts the transition to the Government’s new national workplace relations system intended to cover the whole private sector, which is due to come fully into effect by 1 January 2010. However, this transition legislation does not affect employers currently not in the Federal system.