NEWS-HR

An elderly man has been committed to stand trial in Townsville over allegations he sexually abused two vulnerable aged-care patients. Police arrested the 73-year-old man at his Hinchinbrook home in March 2020 and he was later charged with sexual assault. Details of the allegations against Michael James Eddleston can be revealed for the first time after Magistrate Peter Smid committed the charges to a higher court on Thursday. Mr Smid said he transferred the matter to be heard in the District Court after a “concession” from Eddleston’s solicitor that there was a “prima facie case” against the 73-year-old. He is charged with a string of six offences including three sexual assault charges and three serious assault of a person over 60. Police said Eddleston’s alleged offending spanned a number of years from late December 2017 to February 2020. At the time of his arrest police said Eddleston allegedly forged predatory friendships with two much older men who were living in two different Hinchinbrook aged-care homes. Eddleston was placed on a fresh bail order.

Lambert (nee Harahwa) and Japara Healthcare Limited are locked in a s.739 (application to deal with a dispute) before Fair Work Deputy President Colman (by telephone) in Melbourne.

An application for approval of the Longridge Aged Care Nursing Employees Enterprise Agreement 2021 (s.185 – application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement) is before Commissioner Platt in Chambers in Adelaide for his decision.

A section 394 (application for unfair dismissal remedy) from Afsaneh Moradi Latreiee against KDS Health Centre Group Pty Ltd has been refused by Fair Work Deputy President Anderson in Adelaide on 28 April 2021. “Application for an unfair dismissal remedy – jurisdiction – general practitioner working under visa subclass – high income threshold – earnings unable to be determined in advance – earnings below high income threshold – whether employee or independent contractor – whether dismissed – indices – not an employee – no jurisdiction – application dismissed.”

A s.185 (enterprise agreement) application from Epworth Foundation T/A Epworth HealthCare for the Epworth Healthcare Nurses and Midwives Enterprise Agreement 2020-2024 has been approved by Fair Work Deputy President Young in Melbourne on 28 April 2021.

A s.604 (appeal of decision) sought by Hammam Hijazi against Calvary Health Care ACT Ltd T/A Calvary Public Hospital Bruce has been refused by Vice President Catanzariti, Deputy President Hamilton and Deputy President Young in the Fair Work Commission in Sydney on 9 April 2021.

A s.185 (application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement) from Corumbene Nursing Home for the Aged Inc for the Corumbene Nursing Home for the Aged Inc. General Agreement 2020 has been ratified by Fair Work Commissioner Cirkovic in Melbourne on 23 March 2021.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council has appointed a new temporary facility manager to oversee Yallambee Lodge in Cooma and Snowy River Hostel in Berridale. Jenelle McPherson will be heading up both facilities for the next six months. She brings with her 30 years of nursing experience, the last 15 of which were spent in aged, community and disability care both in Australia and internationally. Her experience in the industry is backed up by four university degrees, including two post-graduate qualifications.