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Month: April 2016

Can Your Employer Demand You Shave?

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Can Your Employer Demand You Shave?

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Beards have been the question in employment law lately, and it’s a bit confusing for those who wish to express their inner Viking or Pirate and let their facial hair grow free.
The Victorian Supreme Court recently ruled Victorian police officers need to shave off beards, goatees, drooping moustaches and mutton chops, or leave the force. A senior constable had challenged a 2012 order that banned police officers from having long hair, goatees or beards on the grounds it was discrimination in the workplace.


The court ruled in favour of the Police Commissioner, saying he had the power to override anti-discrimination law and could determine grooming standards for police officers. Also private enterprise has the ability to outline their own grooming policies so long as they do not conflict with medical, religious and other reasons.


So if you enjoy sporting a beard but your employer does not, come and talk to the beard-friendly solicitors at Strategic Lawyers. We can give legal and beard advice so you’ll never need to pick up a razor again. Call us on (07) 4795 1114 today to find out what your rights are.
– By Rogan, Senior Law Clerk

Medicinal Cannabis Update

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Medicinal Cannabis Update

Posted on by Justin Ireland

In Queensland the Public Health (Medicinal Cannabis) Bill 2016 was released on 1st March 2016 and has been released for public consultation. The purpose of the Bill is to create a new regulatory framework under which medicinal cannabis products may be prescribed and dispensed to patients in Queensland while also preventing unauthorised use of these products. The proposed regulatory framework provides a formalised process for doctors to follow if they want approval to prescribed medicinal cannabis as part of their patient’s overall treatment.

The move could help patients like 17-year-old Lindsay Carter, from Brisbane, who lives with a brain tumour, intractable epilepsy, chronic pain and nausea. He visited the US four times in 2014, where he received treatment including medicinal marijuana and saw his tumour reduce in size. But when he returned to Australia he stopped using the oil and it grew three millimetres in three months.

After a long process, Lindsay was granted the TGA Special Access Scheme late last year and is awaiting final approval. The tumour is now shrinking or stable and, while he still has seizures, he has no oedema (watery fluid in cavities) around the brain.
A growing body of clinical evidence shows the potential therapeutic benefits of certain forms of medicinal cannabis for treating particular medical conditions or their symptoms. There is evidence to suggest medicinal cannabis can effectively manage the symptoms of some forms of epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and to relieve the side effects of treatments for cancer and HIV/AIDS to name but a few.

To have your say on these changes, visit the Queensland Government’s Get Involved website and submit your feedback by completing the online survey by 5pm 1 April 2016.

The link to the feedback site is: https://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au/…/consult…/2911/view.html

You can view the Bill at:
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/…/medicin…/2016-02-18-bill.pdf

The Advance Queensland Young Starters Program

Posted on by Justin Ireland

The Advance Queensland Young Starters Program

Posted on by Justin Ireland

The Advance Queensland Young Starters program is designed to build, attract, and retain young entrepreneurial talent, build the startup ecosystem to position Queensland as an attractive investment destination with a strong innovation and entrepreneurial culture.

Grants of up to $20,000 are now available as part of the Advance Queensland Young Starters Fund. Organisations can apply to run activities such as startup weekends, boot-camps, networking events and workshops targeted… at budding entrepreneurs.


If you are considering starting up a business come and talk to the team at Strategic Lawyers today! We can assist with all of the legal work from setting up a Company, Employment Contracts, etc. So give us a call on (07) 4795 1114 today and have a chat with our friendly staff about our business startup packages. Strategic advice at a fixed price!

Rising Sea Levels? Where do you stand…

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Rising Sea Levels? Where do you stand…

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Melting ice from Antarctica could raise oceans by one meter before 2100 at current rates of greenhouse gas emissions, doubling previous forecasts for sea level rise, according to a new study. Such an abrupt change would spell disaster for major cities and coastal areas across the globe, forcing hundreds of millions of people to seek higher ground.

Over a longer time scale, the study said the picture would be even grimmer: within 500 years, Earth’s once-frozen continent will have lifted water lines by more than 15 meters, reconfiguring the planet’s coastlines.

So don’t get stuck searching for higher ground and plan ahead! At Strategic Lawyers we can assist with the purchasing of some property with altitude! Or even review a purchase contract if you’re more of the boating type. Either way call us today on (07) 4795 1114 to talk to our friendly staff and check our great rates on our fixed fee prices. Plan for your future and get some strategic advice at a fixed price!

Open Alcohol In An Operational Motor Vehicle

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Open Alcohol In An Operational Motor Vehicle

Posted on by Justin Ireland

Under current Queensland laws only the driver or operator of a motor vehicle cannot be under the influence of alcohol or consume alcohol. It is not an offence to consume alcohol while being the passenger of a vehicle and unless you are causing a public disturbance police cannot confiscate your booze or ask you to tip out your drink.

As long as you’re polite and follow all lawful and reasonable directions of the Police you are completely entitled to hang on to your beverage. For more details on this or any other areas of law please contact us at Strategic Lawyers on (07) 4795 1114 and know your rights.