The Sparke Cast

The practical challenges of workplace drug and alcohol testing

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:46:05 +1100

In this podcast, Senior Associate John Nairn, Daniel King, Associate and Chelsea Kesby, Lawyer from the Sparke Helmore Workplace team discuss the practical challenges of workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Workplace investigations through a psychosocial safety lens

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:18:18 +1100

In this podcast, Senior Associate Helen Sexton and Associate Anna Stubbersfield from our Workplace team explore the topic of workplace investigations through the lens of psychosocial safety. The discussion covers three broad topics including the importance of choosing an appropriate investigator, taking a person-centred and trauma-informed approach to an investigation, and managing the psychosocial safety risks where the investigation participants are still in the workplace.

Workplace updates: the future industrial relations landscape

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 14:31:10 +1100

In this podcast, Partners Seamus Burke and Thea Price from Sparke Helmore’s Workplace team identify some of the changes that they believe are coming to Australia’s industrial relations landscape.

Workplace 5 in 5 – Protected disclosures under the Corporations Act

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:08:42 +1100

In this episode of the Workplace 5 in 5, Ashley Sherr (Senior Associate) in our Workplace team discusses how employers and businesses can navigate the Corporations Act regime when managing and investigating disclosures.

Workplace Investigations: top tips for employers

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:31:28 +1100

In this podcast, Partners Seamus Burke & Thea Price from Sparke Helmore’s Workplace team discuss four key issues that relate to workplace investigations.

The Proactive Workplace: Recent caselaw involving sexual harassment and psychosocial risks in the workplace.

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 11:53:18 +1100

In this podcast, Rossana Parmegiani (Special Counsel), John Nairn (Senior Associate) and Rupert Gillies (Associates) in Sparke Helmore’s Workplace team discuss recent caselaw involving sexual harassment and psychosocial risks in the workplace.

Workplace 5 in 5 - Hostile workplace environments

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 11:58:55 +1100

In this episode of Workplace 5 in 5, Ben Gottlieb (Special Counsel) in our Workplace team discusses hostile workplace environments.

Workplace 5 in 5 - Positive duty tips for workplace Christmas parties

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 08:34:00 +1100

In this episode of Workplace 5 in 5, Daria McLachlan (Special Counsel) and Georgia Sivashankar (Senior Associate) in our Workplace team discuss positive duty tips to consider for workplace Christmas parties.

The Proactive Workplace: Keeping workplaces free from sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:17:40 +1100

In this podcast, Rossana Parmegiani (Special Counsel), Holly Irwin and Rupert Gillies (Associates) in Sparke Helmore’s Workplace team consider changes to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) , which impose a legal obligation on organisations and businesses in Australia to take proactive and meaningful action to prevent unlawful conduct from occurring in the workplace and in connection to work.

Government - The FOI Act turns 40: What has aged well and what hasn’t?

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 12:36:18 +1100

In this podcast, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) (FOI Act), Partner Chantal Tipene and Senior Associate Molly Campbell discuss the upside and emerging challenges of the FOI Act. They will also share practical solutions on how you can navigate through the challenges.

If you have any questions about the issues within this podcast or require assistance with FOI processing matters, please contact:

Chantal Tipene – Partner | Chantal.Tipene@sparke.com.au, or

Molly Campbell – Senior Associate | Molly.Campbell@sparke.com.au

The Evolving Workplace: Mandatory vaccination policies – what employers need to know

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:16:51 +1100

In this “Evolving Workplace” episode, Felicity Edwards and Ben Gottlieb from our Workplace team, and Chantal Tipene, a privacy specialist from our Government team, discuss mandatory COVID vaccination policies in the workplace, and the obligations employers may have from a privacy perspective when they collect information about their employees’ vaccination status.

Maritime and Transport – Lessons from major shipping casualties: better solutions to claims

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:51:13 +1100

In this podcast, Partner and Head of Maritime and Transport, Michelle Taylor talks about major shipping casualties, including her experience during the Rena casualty ten years on, and the necessity to adopt an approach to major incidents (and their ensuing claims) that is not purely focused on questions of legality and viewing the management of loss as a matter of pecuniary compensation alone.

Brad Vinning’s Executive Series: Growth through adversity, talking with the Director of Startups at BDO

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 10:41:46 +1100

In his latest Executive Series podcast, Brad Vinning talks with Marc Orchard, the founder of the “BDO for Startups” program, about his personal and professional perspective during the pandemic in 2020—from the birth of his first child, flexible working arrangements, to the impacts on the startup community.

The Evolving Workplace: Legal Professional Privilege and workplace investigations

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 15:25:15 +1100

In this “Talk 5 in 5” episode, Carlie Holt, Jennifer Williams and Georgina Dodd from our Workplace team explore practical considerations when managing a workplace investigation and invoking Legal Professional Privilege (LPP).

Brad Vinning’s Executive Series: Growth through adversity, talking with the CEO of Cubiko

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 17:31:22 +1100

In his latest Executive Series podcast, Brad Vinning talks with Chris Smeed, CEO of Cubiko. Born out of necessity to ensure a not-for-profit medical practice could remain viable, Cubiko is the new kid on the health tech block taking everyone by storm. Launching in late 2019 the storm clouds of COVID-19 spelt trouble for many but it also gave rise to innovative ways to help one another and new tech products to literally pay for themselves. Chris joins Brad to share the hard times, the good times and the decision to double down on a freemium offering in the midst of a pandemic.

Brad Vinning’s Executive Series: Growth through adversity, talking with CEO and Founder of Brazilian Beauty.

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 09:08:04 +1100

In his latest Executive Series podcast, Brad Vinning talks with Francesca Webster about her start-up days in the beauty industry and how the need to diversify and pivot caused by the pandemic has set her up on a new path of growth.

The Evolving Workplace: Fair Work Act update

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:21:34 +1100

Changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) in late March 2021 are the focus of the latest instalment of The Evolving Workplace. In this brief “Talk 5 in 5” episode, Seamus Burke, Emma Gruschka and Ariel Curtis outline five key issues employers need to be across regarding these amendments.

Brad Vinning’s Executive Series: Growth through adversity, talking with Author of Blockchanging The World

Fri, 21 May 2021 09:15:26 +1100

In his latest Executive Series podcast, Brad Vinning talks with Dr Jane Thomason, who has a vision and passion to improve the lives and prosperity of people in underdeveloped countries through the power of blockchain technology. Forget about bitcoin, the real power of crypto is far more wide reaching. Jane speaks to Brad about how COVID-19 brought forward years of progress in this space but also brought other parts of her life to a sudden (and not so fun) halt.

The Evolving Workplace: Reasonable directions and the duty to ensure health and safety in the COVID-normal workplace

Mon, 03 May 2021 15:20:55 +1100

In our 10th episode of The Evolving Workplace podcast series, hosted by Partner Brendan Charles, Senior Associate Susan Withycombe-Taperell and Associate Ashley Sherr answer questions relating to COVID-19 in the workplace. They discuss the ability for employers to give lawful and reasonable directions for employees to return to the office and be vaccinated against COVID-19 and also the ongoing duty of employers to ensure health and safety in the COVID-normal workplace.

Brad Vinning’s Executive Series: Growth through adversity, talking with CEO of The Wine Collective

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 13:00:55 +1100

In his latest Executive Series podcast, Brad Vinning talks with Lloyd Heinrich, CEO of The Wine Collective about how COVID-19 turned a challenging business into a thriving one, the productivity gains to be had with remote working and the importance of retaining human connections.

The Evolving Workplace: Modern Slavery

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 09:48:54 +1100

Ian Bennett, Ben Gottlieb and Josephine Lennon explain what constitutes Modern Slavery, its relevance and developments in Australia, including the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), requirements and deadlines to lodge statements, supply chain risk management processes, and principles that overlap with other workplace legislation.

The Evolving Workplace: Employment & Safety - year in review

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:22:22 +1100

Roland Hassall and Bill Kritharas discuss key employment and safety developments in 2020, from recent changes to work health and safety laws, industrial manslaughter, to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations regarding mental health, and more.

The Evolving Workplace - Dreamworld incident - an insider’s perspective

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 15:01:28 +1100

In this podcast Jackson Inglis, who leads our Brisbane Workplace team, is joined by Barrister Craig Eberhardt to discuss the 2016 Dreamworld incident, where four patrons were sadly killed. Craig, who represented a witness at the Coronial Inquest in 2018, offers his unique perspective on the matter and discusses some lessons learned from this tragic accident.

Commercial Insurance – Breaking news – 5–0 in the Court of Appeal: Game, set and match for insureds?

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:21:05 +1100

In this podcast, Mark Doepel and Kiley Hodges discuss the Australian BI test case decision, the implications, and the comparison with the UK test case.

Workplace Podcast #6 The Evolving Workplace

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 15:33:27 +1100

In this podcast, Felicity Edwards and Ian Bennett from our Workplace team, along with Chantal Tipene from our Government team and specialising in privacy law, discuss reasonable and lawful directions to employees and the requirements that must be satisfied in order to collect personal and sensitive information. They also explore recent case law, provide practical guidance on the applicable legal principles, as well as strategies in balancing employee rights with employer obligations.

The Evolving Workplace: The importance of a reasonable and measured performance management process

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 13:24:55 +1100

Brendan Charles and James Johnson discuss employment and workers compensation issues arising from a recent case before the Fair Work Commission, including practical advice about the need for a reasonable and measured process to achieve the desired outcome; improve employee performance or defend claims and allegations that may be made by an employer.

Laycock Burke Castaldi joins Sparke Helmore Lawyers

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 09:25:43 +1100

On 1 July 2020, Sparke Helmore Lawyers and Laycock Burke Castaldi joined forces under the Sparke Helmore banner. In this podcast, Partners Alan McKelvey, Julien Castaldi and Catherine Wilkinson discuss the merger and how bringing together two of Newcastle’s finest law firms has enhanced the breadth and depth of service to our valued clients across the Hunter Region and beyond.

Workplace Podcast #4 The Evolving Workplace

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:38:11 +1100

In our next podcast in the Evolving Workplace series, Partners Luke Holland and Catherine Wilkinson discuss employment issues on the horizon for the workplace as we look to the new normal post COVID-19 hibernation.

Commercial Insurance – The 'not so' secrets of cyber

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:15:19 +1100

In this podcast, Edward Osborne and Colin Pausey discuss global privacy and cyber risk, drawing on the experiences gained by Edward during his time overseas and since he has returned to Sparke Helmore.

Insurance Statutory – Catch my disease | COVID-19 and workers’ compensation liability for employers

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 16:49:41 +1100

In this podcast, James Johnson and Maxine Feletti provide a workers’ compensation liability perspective on COVID-19. Topics discussed include whether COVID-19 will be an injury or disease; when an employer is liable if a worker contracts the virus; liability and insurance issues with WFH arrangements; and top tips for transitioning workers back into the workplace - while also managing those who remain at home.

Commercial Insurance – Healthcare and COVID-19

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 09:40:44 +1100

In our next podcast, Special Counsel Jehan Mata and Senior Associate Andy Mansfield from the London Next Generation group discuss how the healthcare industry has adapted to the challenges of providing care in light of COVID-19 pandemic through telehealth medicine. Jehan and Andy will take us through the opportunities and potential pitfalls this has for practitioners in terms of their civil liability and regulatory obligations.

Workplace Podcast #3 The Evolving Workplace

Thu, 28 May 2020 09:34:11 +1100

With the gradual easing of restrictions, this episode focuses on returning to work in the COVID environment. Carlie Holt and Roland Hassall discuss key employment and safety considerations as organisations start to embark on returning back to the new ‘normal’.

Government – COVIDsafe litigation in the AAT: a unique opportunity to hear some invaluable insights from Senior Member Tavoularis

Thu, 21 May 2020 09:33:51 +1100

Leading AAT practitioner and Sparke Helmore Partner, Matthew Hawker, sits down with special guest Senior Member Tavoularis of the AAT to discuss how the AAT has responded to the COVID-19 crisis, and the current and future course of litigation in that forum. In an open and intriguing discussion, the Senior Member shares his observations on digital hearings, offers some tips for parties and practitioners on conducting litigation in the current environment, and offers some important insights on the longer-term future of AAT litigation.

Commercial Insurance – Class Actions in the wake of COVID-19

Wed, 20 May 2020 09:24:46 +1100

The Commercial Insurance practice group are back with episode two in their podcast series. In this second episode, Lucille Stewart and Lani Carter from Sparke Helmore’s Next Generation team explore the topic of Class Actions in the wake of COVID-19. As the impacts on consumers and financial markets become clearer, it is expected that consumers and businesses will be looking for avenues to recoup losses and with that will come law firms and litigation funders looking for opportunities to act – just as occurred following the Global Financial Crisis.

Commercial Insurance – Business Interruption cover and COVID-19

Tue, 05 May 2020 16:41:28 +1100

The Commercial Insurance practice group is launching a series of podcasts to discuss relevant trends in the market and topical issues. In this first episode, James Clohesy and James Sutherland from Sparke Helmore’s Next Generation team explore business interruption cover and COVID-19.

Government – Current issues in procurement and contracting

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 10:40:51 +1100

In light of industry shutdowns due to COVID-19, Partner Liana Westcott and Senior Associate Victoria Wilkinson from Sparke Helmore’s Government Commercial team dissect what current challenges our clients face, and how these shutdowns are affecting Commonwealth agencies' planned and current procurement processes, and the performance of existing contracts.

Government - How open are the Courts in the COVID-19 world?

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:12:25 +1100

As remote hearings are increasingly being relied upon by Australian Courts and Tribunals, Bernadette Rayment and Katherine Evans, members of Sparke Helmore’s Government team, speak with Barrister Greg Johnson about the issue of protecting and delivering open justice in the digital COVID-19 world.

Workplace Podcast #2 – Part 2 The Evolving Workplace

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:00:45 +1100

Emma Gruschka and Ian Bennett continue their discussion on the impact of COVID-19 for workplaces nationally by looking at relevant WHS risks and considerations, the enforcement approaches adopted by Regulators as well as the big issues that are anticipated to keep employers busy in a post-COVID-19 world.

Workplace Podcast #2 – Part 1 The Evolving Workplace

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:48:24 +1100

In the first of this two part episode, Emma Gruschka and Ian Bennett discuss the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace nationally by examining significant recent changes to legislation and industrial instruments, including the Fair Work Commission’s changes to 99 Modern Awards, and the implications for employers from the JobKeeper Bills and consequential amendments to the Fair Work Act.

Workplace Podcast #1 The Evolving Workplace

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:52:01 +1100

In this edition Felicity Edwards and Sam Jackson discuss some of the emerging issues of 2020 including the outcomes of the Dreamworld coronial inquest, industrial manslaughter laws and how employers should be responding to Coronavirus.