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News & Articles
Welcome to the Macarthur HC's news — your destination for expert insights at the intersection of people, performance, and business strategy.
Here, we share thought leadership, practical guidance, and the latest trends in HR, leadership development, organisational culture, and workforce strategy. Whether you're navigating complex HR challenges, building resilient teams, or seeking clarity on market benchmarking, our articles are designed to inform, inspire, and empower.
Stay connected as we explore what it takes to create sustainable, well-led organisations where people thrive.
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Australia’s 2026 Economic Outlook: Stability Amid Structural Challenges
Australia’s economy is showing signs of stabilisation. Growth is moderate but steady, and the labour market, while still robust, is starting to ease. This presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses as we look ahead to 2026. Australia’s 2026 Economic Outlook Labour Market: Strength With Caution Unemployment remains relatively low, and workforce participation is healthy. However, wage growth and hiring momentum are beginning to slow. For employers, this signals a
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Nov 28, 20251 min read
AI Is Redefining HR, and HR Professionals are leading the charge
AI has moved quickly from a “future trend” to an everyday reality in our workplaces. But despite the fear that it might replace roles, something very different is happening in HR: AI is elevating the function, and expanding the impact of HR professionals. The admin tasks that once consumed our time are shifting to automation, giving HR the space to focus on strategy, culture, capability and the real human challenges organisations face. AI and HR's role HR’s Strategic Evolutio
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Nov 27, 20252 min read
Why Employee Experience & Wellbeing Are About More Than Perks
Employee experience and wellbeing are about more than perks or programs that look good on paper. At their core, they shape how people feel every day at work, whether they feel supported, valued, and able to do their best. In today’s fast-paced, hybrid world, getting this right isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential for engagement, retention, and performance. Thought leaders like Meghan Biro are clear: if your employees aren’t supported in a meaningful way, no amount of perks
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Nov 25, 20252 min read
Workplace Behaviour at Christmas Parties: What Employers Should Prepare For
The end-of-year celebration should be a time to unwind, connect, and recognise your team’s hard work. But for employers in Australia, it’s also one of the highest-risk events of the year. Christmas parties blur the lines between “social” and “workplace”, and managing behaviour is essential to keeping everyone safe, and your organisation compliant. Set Expectations Early Even offsite, the Christmas party is still a workplace event. That means your usual rules around respectful
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Nov 24, 20252 min read
How Employers Can Thrive with Australia’s Right to Disconnect
In today’s always-connected world, the line between work and personal life is thinner than ever. The new Right to Disconnect laws are here, and they’re not just a compliance requirement — they’re an opportunity to build a healthier, more productive workplace. Right to disconnect What you need to know From 26 August 2024 , employees of non-small businesses (15+ staff) gained the right to refuse to respond to work-related communications outside normal hours. From 26 August 202
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Nov 21, 20252 min read
The New Commonwealth Wage Theft Laws | A Turning Point for Fair Pay in Australia
For years, wage theft has been a dark undercurrent in Australia’s employment landscape — headlines about underpaid workers and corporate missteps have become all too familiar. But a major shift has arrived. As of 1 January 2025 , the Australian Government has officially criminalised deliberate wage theft under the Fair Work Act (Cth) — sending a clear message: if you intentionally underpay your staff, you could go to jail. What’s changing? The Commonwealth reforms make deli
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Nov 20, 20252 min read
Leading Through the Unknown: Mark LaBusse and the Rise of Adaptive Leadership
In a world where change is the only constant, traditional leadership models are starting to show their cracks. Enter Mark LaBusse—a leadership educator, systems thinker, and passionate advocate for a more human way of leading. His work doesn’t just challenge the status quo; it invites leaders to step into the unknown with courage, curiosity, and compassion. Adaptive Leadership From Manager to Mobilizer Mark LaBusse doesn’t believe leadership is about titles or technical exper
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Nov 18, 20252 min read
Common Traits of Great Leaders (Part 4) Final
by Guy Picken, Guy Picken Consulting Continuing from last week, we conclude with our final blog on the qualities that make great leaders. 9. Great Leaders are great communicators Great leaders can explain their strategies in clear simple terms that everyone can understand. The know that if it takes more than 60 seconds to explain the concept you have probably lost your audience. Great leaders know that human beings inherently dislike change and if they are to get the support
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Nov 17, 20252 min read
Common Traits of Great Leaders (Part 3)
by Guy Picken, Guy Picken Consulting Following this week's blog, we now delve into more qualities that make great leaders. Great Leaders 6. Great Leaders apply relentless discipline In 2020 McKinsey and Company conducted a study on Execution vs strategy finding 45% of the performance differential between high and low performing companies came down to execution quality. The strategy (mostly market positioning and bold choices) contributed 55% of profit growth with the other 45
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Nov 14, 20255 min read
Common Traits of Great Leaders (Part 2)
by Guy Picken, Guy Picken Consulting Following yesterday’s blog, we now delve into more qualities that make great leaders. 3. Great Leaders set high standards and don’t compromise . Great leaders understand the value of setting high standards and getting the basics right before trying to expand Great leaders unapologetically set the standards high and insist they are met. Often, they set standards so high that others do not believe they are possible. In some cases, the accept
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Nov 13, 20254 min read
Common Traits of Great Leaders (Part 1)
By Guy Picken - Guy Picken Consulting In 2023 McKinsey and Company produced research that suggests only 12% of CEOs have a high impact! This small group of leaders almost always deliver. People want to follow them. They build the careers of others and share the rewards. There are thousands of books written on Leadership and while many different leadership styles can be successful, I have observed that the very top performing leaders share common traits. It has been a hobby o
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Nov 12, 20253 min read
Northern Territory’s Fair Work Highlights of 2025: Negotiation, Rights, and Accountability
2025 has been a pivotal year for workplace relations in the Northern Territory, with a series of Fair Work cases and disputes shaping how employees and employers interact across the public and private sectors. From public service pay negotiations to unfair dismissal rulings, the Territory has seen meaningful developments in workers’ rights and employer accountability. A central story of the year has been the Northern Territory Public Sector (NTPS) pay dispute, referred to the
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Nov 10, 20252 min read
Rewiring the Mind: How Dr Helena Popovic Is Changing the Way We Think About Brain Health
When Dr Helena Popovic stepped away from the hospital wards and into the world of public speaking, she didn’t just bring her medical credentials—she brought a mission. Her message was clear, bold, and refreshingly human: education is more powerful than medication. In a world increasingly reliant on pharmaceuticals to manage cognitive decline, Dr Popovic offers a radically different prescription—one rooted in lifestyle, learning, and the untapped potential of the human brain.
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Nov 7, 20252 min read
South Australia’s Key Fair Work Decisions of 2025: Empowering Workers and Shaping the Workplace
2025 has been a defining year for workplace relations in South Australia, with several landmark Fair Work and industrial rulings strengthening employee rights and clarifying employer obligations. From wage increases to gig worker protections, the state has seen meaningful progress across multiple sectors. A highlight of the year was the State Wage Case, which resulted in a 3.5% increase to the minimum standard of remuneration, bringing the weekly rate to $965.10. This deci
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Nov 5, 20252 min read
Queensland’s Landmark Fair Work Cases of 2025: Setting New Standards for Workers and Employers
2025 has been a transformative year for workplace relations in Queensland, with a series of high-profile Fair Work and industrial cases reshaping how employees and employers navigate pay, rights, and responsibilities. Across mining, public service, and union oversight, the year’s decisions have highlighted fairness, accountability, and the evolving nature of work. The year began with a significant victory for workers in the State Wage Case, where the Queensland Industrial R
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Nov 4, 20252 min read
Victoria’s Fair Work Developments of 2025: A Year of Change and Opportunity
2025 has been a pivotal year for workplace relations in Victoria, with major rulings, agreements, and regulatory changes shaping the landscape for employees and employers alike. From the arts sector to aged care, the focus has been on fair pay, improved working conditions, and recognition of undervalued roles. One of the year’s highlights was the multi-employer agreement for Victorian arts and cultural institutions. Covering over 1,800 workers across major bodies such as the
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Nov 3, 20252 min read
Defining NSW’s Fair Work Battles of 2025: Pay, Power, and the Changing Shape of Work
2025 has been a landmark year for workplace relations in New South Wales, with a series of high-profile Fair Work and industrial disputes redefining the balance between employers, workers, and the state. From the rail networks to hospitals and the gig economy, the year’s legal battles have highlighted the growing tension between fair pay, flexible work, and accountability. At the centre of attention was the Sydney Trains industrial dispute, one of the longest-running public s
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Oct 30, 20252 min read
Navigating Change: HR Command’s End-of-Year Workplace Relations Webinar
2025 has been one of the most transformative years in Australian workplace relations. From Wage Theft laws and Closing the Loophole reforms to the Right to Disconnect, Long Service Leave changes, and AI reshaping the workforce — it’s been a year of constant change for HR and business leaders alike. One of our partners, HR Command , is hosting a free end-of-year webinar to help you make sense of it all: Next Horizon: Compliance, Change & Economic IR Signals for 2026 - Naviga
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Oct 28, 20251 min read
What’s Coming, & What’s Unsettled: The HR Manager's Toolkit
HR Manager's Toolkit Not all reforms are settled, and some are still being negotiated. But what’s on the horizon is enough to make HR departments start planning now. The updated Works Council rules may impose more duties around consultation, transparency, even legal liability in some cases. Companies with operations across countries will need to monitor how these changes finalize. Minimum wage standards across the EU are under review, especially in relation to collec
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Oct 22, 20253 min read
Turning Points: How Employment Policy is evolving across the EU in 2025
Maria Pekka, HR director at a midsize tech company in Helsi nki, used to think of her job as balancing recruitment, retention, and keeping up with national labour laws. But lately, she’s found herself navigating something bigger: a continental shift in how the EU wants work to work. Not just tweaking rules, but redefining fairness, transparency, and the relationship between employer and employee. Here’s what she—and many others across Europe—are seeing unfold in the world of
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Oct 21, 20252 min read
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