Episode 21: Lessons from the Federal Court
RO pod: Talking about governance of registered organisationsShow Notes
The ROC's approach to compliance and enforcement starts with providing education and assistance, including tools and resources to help with compliance and offering tailored assistance to organisations and branches. We routinely work with organisations to strengthen their systems and processes to prevent future breaches of the law. Where serious non-compliance has not resolved via alternative processes, the ROC has pursued a small number of matters in the Federal Court. We discuss what the judges have said and how this is important to all registered organisations.
More from RO pod: Talking about governance of registered organisations
The Model Rules are designed to make drafting rules easier for registered organisations. They include plain-language guidance, annotations, and practical examples to help organisations modernise their rule books and strengthen governance.
An important part of the Fair Work Commission's regulatory approach is to listen to and learn from stakeholders in our registered organisations community. In this episode, we invited Tom Lynch, the Federal President of the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), to share his perspective on what good governance looks like in his organisation.
Members, officers and employees of registered organisations can report a concern about their registered organisation to the Fair Work Commission. However, registered organisations are encouraged to develop and implement a formal whistleblower policy to assist them to investigate and address concerns reported directly to them.
Registered organisations can use our 2024 compliance snapshot to understand their own achievements and priorities and monitor their own performance against other organisations.
Whistleblowers have the right to disclose a concern without reprisal under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (the RO Act). However, not all disclosures are protected.