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Westpac’s Decision to Abandon Legal Appeal Marks a Turning Point in Flexible Work Rights

Westpac has decided not to appeal a ruling by the Fair Work Commission that supported a Sydney mother’s request to work from home. The bank confirmed on Friday that it will not challenge the decision, which was in favor of Karlene Chandler, a long-serving employee with 23 years of service at the company. She is part of Westpac’s Sydney mortgage operations team and has been working part-time.

This decision represents a significant moment in the national conversation about flexible work rights and offers a rare victory for working parents who are trying to balance their careers with family responsibilities.

A Mother’s Struggle for Remote Work

Karlene Chandler, the mother of six-year-old twins, requested in January to work from her home in Wilton, located 80 kilometers south of Sydney. Her goal was to manage school pick-ups and drop-offs more effectively. Without this arrangement, she would have faced a two-hour daily commute, as her children’s school is half an hour in the opposite direction from Westpac’s Kogarah office.

Her self-employed partner works across Sydney and interstate, and does not have the capacity to assist with childcare. Initially, Westpac allowed her to work remotely some days but insisted she attend the Kogarah office at least two days a week. She proposed a compromise, suggesting she could work in-office days at a nearby branch in Bowral, but this offer was rejected.

When mediation failed, the dispute escalated to the Fair Work Commission, which ruled that Westpac must grant Ms. Chandler’s request. The commission noted that she had worked from home “very successfully” for years.

Expert Opinions on the Ruling

Workplace law expert Andrew Stewart, a professor of work and regulation at the Queensland University of Technology, described the decision as a “wake-up call” for employers attempting to force staff back into offices. He emphasized that simply asserting the need for in-office presence is insufficient. Employers must demonstrate valid reasons for such requirements and maintain consistency in their approach.

Stewart pointed out that sudden changes in policy, where employees were previously allowed to work from home but now required to be in the office, are difficult to justify legally.

Westpac’s Defense of Hybrid Work Policy

During the case, Westpac defended its hybrid work policy, which requires staff to attend corporate offices two days a week. The bank argued that this policy ensured collaboration and business performance, citing in-office practices like team huddles and training sessions as essential tools not available to remote workers.

While acknowledging that Ms. Chandler’s role could be done remotely, the bank claimed that full-time remote work would weaken team cohesion and undermine its authority to require other staff to attend in person. It also suggested that her long commute resulted from “life choices” made without company approval.

Commission’s Disagreement

Commission deputy president Thomas Roberts disagreed with Westpac’s stance. He stated that there was no question that Ms. Chandler’s work could be performed completely remotely. He highlighted that she had been working remotely for several years and doing so very successfully, meeting or exceeding deadlines consistently.

The ruling has been celebrated as a major win for working parents and a precedent for future flexible work disputes. Nicole McPherson, assistant national secretary of the Finance Sector Union, said the union is now helping more employees secure similar arrangements. She emphasized that the ruling sends a strong message to all employers: they must have genuine business grounds for refusing flexible work requests and meet every obligation under the Fair Work Act before saying no.

Under the Fair Work Act, parents of school-aged children and workers over 55 can seek flexible arrangements. The Commission stressed that the procedural steps outlined in Section 65A are not optional. Employers must properly engage with staff, respond in writing within the required timeframe, and explain any refusal.

Even if business grounds exist, failing to follow due process can invalidate a refusal, as Westpac discovered in this case.

Impact on Future Workplace Dynamics

Westpac acknowledged that certain tasks could technically be done remotely but maintained that overall team performance and cohesion were significantly better when employees had regular face-to-face interaction. It also argued that any Commission order allowing her to work remotely full-time would undermine its authority to require other workers to attend the office at least two days a week.

Despite these arguments, the commission’s decision has sparked a broader discussion about the future of flexible work and the rights of employees to work from home. As more cases like this emerge, the landscape of workplace policies may continue to evolve, reflecting the growing demand for flexibility and fairness in the modern workforce.

Potential Shift in Taxation and Its Impact on the Stock Market

The government and the ruling party have initiated serious discussions regarding the introduction of a separate taxation system for dividend income, which has drawn significant attention from investors. This potential change could reshape the stock market landscape next year. Specifically, as the possibility of reducing the maximum tax rate for separate taxation from the initial 35% to 25% increases, there is growing interest in whether this tax reform could serve as a new upward driver for the domestic stock market.

Park Seung-young, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, stated, “If separate taxation on dividend income is implemented, dividends will shift in status from ‘unearned income’ subject to punitive high taxes to a ‘wealth-building tool’ for stable returns. In the medium to long term, this could become a catalyst for shaking up the structure of Korea’s asset market.”

Individual investors, facing reduced tax burdens, are expected to show ‘accumulation demand,’ holding stocks longer and in greater quantities. Analysts also suggest that major shareholders may have stronger incentives to consider expanding dividends due to the tax rate cut.

The End of Real Estate Dominance? Changes Brought by Tax Reform

Real estate has long been Korea’s representative investment method, backed by tax benefits and asset stability, making it a rational choice. In particular, single-homeowners are exempt from taxes on capital gains up to 1.2 billion won upon sale, and rental income up to 20 million won annually is tax-free, offering several advantages over stocks.

However, if dividend income is taxed separately without being added to comprehensive income, the real estate-dominated investment structure could crack. As tax savings and stable cash flow gain prominence, the appeal of dividend investing may grow, potentially shifting idle funds from real estate to stocks.

Of course, even if the government accelerates tax reforms like separate taxation on dividends, their effectiveness will be limited unless major shareholders support the changes.

Park Seung-young points out, “No matter how much the government changes the system, major shareholders will only increase dividends if they deem it beneficial. It is unrealistic to expect or demand that they expand dividends for the benefit of minority shareholders or the public.”

The Effect of Dividend Expansion Depends on Major Shareholders’ Choices

Ultimately, changes in the stock market landscape depend on the choices and judgments of major shareholders. So, what is the current dividend status of Kospi-listed companies?

According to Hanwha Investment & Securities on the 10th, the total dividends of Kospi-listed companies last year amounted to 50 trillion Korean won. Among them, the six conglomerates—Samsung, SK, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, and HD Hyundai—where major shareholders exert influence, accounted for 28 trillion won, or 56% of the total. Samsung Group alone contributed 13.7 trillion won, half of the total.

Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong received a total of 353 billion won in dividends in 2024. After paying 158.7 billion won in comprehensive income tax (49.5%), his estimated net receipt was approximately 194 billion won.

Trickle-Down Effect Possible…Can Minority Shareholders Smile Too?

Will the government’s tax reform provide sufficient incentives for Chairman Lee to reduce his tax burden?

Currently, the listed companies in which Chairman Lee holds shares are Samsung C&T, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Life Insurance, Samsung SDS, and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance.

Assuming these five companies meet the conditions for separate taxation (dividend payout ratio of 25%, average annual dividend growth rate of over 5% for three years) and Chairman Lee’s stake remains the same as in 2024, Hanwha Investment & Securities calculated that his estimated total dividends in 2027 would be 401.4 billion won.

If the government applies the initially proposed maximum separate tax rate of 38.5%, the tax payable would be 154.5 billion won, and the net dividend receipt would be 246.8 billion won. Compared to 2024, this would reduce taxes by 4.2 billion won and increase net dividends by 52.8 billion won.

If the maximum separate tax rate is finalized at 27.5%, lower than 38.5%, Chairman Lee’s net receipt would rise to 291 billion won, an increase of about 100 billion won from now. What decision will he make after the government’s tax reform?

Only if major shareholders have sufficient incentives to expand dividends can the ‘trickle-down effect,’ where benefits naturally extend to minority shareholders, become a reality. The separate taxation of dividend income is expected to be a litmus test for long-term changes in Korea’s asset market structure, beyond a simple tax reform.

Apology from Hyun-ah to Fans After Fainting During Performance

Singer Hyun-ah has publicly apologized to her fans for fainting during a recent performance. On the 10th, she shared a heartfelt message on her social media platform, expressing deep regret over the incident.

“I’m really, really sorry. It was a short period of time after the performance, but I wanted to show you a good performance, but I don’t think I was professional and I couldn’t remember anything, so I kept thinking about this and that and I wanted to tell you,” she began.

Hyun-ah continued to apologize repeatedly, acknowledging the disappointment she caused to the Macau fans who had traveled to see her. “Aing” would have been a stage where many Macau fans came and paid to see it, but I’m sorry, and I’m really sorry.”

She also expressed her commitment to improving herself in the future. “I’ll continue to work hard and build more physical strength in the future. It would be great if everything was my way, but I’ll try..!! I want to say thank you for always adoring, caring, and loving me since I was very young. And I’m really fine! Don’t worry about me! May it be a good night for everyone. Good night, sir,” she added.

Incident During ‘Water Bomb 2025 Macau’ Performance

Earlier on the 9th, Hyun-ah collapsed unconscious while performing the hit song ‘Bubble Pop’ at the ‘Water Bomb 2025 Macau’ event held at the Macau Outdoor Performance Venue in Hong Kong. Videos captured by the audience showed her suddenly losing balance while dancing and collapsing onto the stage. Dancers rushed to assist her, and then a bodyguard carried her off the stage.

The specific cause of her fainting remains unknown, but some speculated that it might be related to the aftermath of her recent extreme diet. A month prior, on the 4th, Hyun-ah revealed that she successfully lost 10kg after announcing her diet on the 3rd of last month. She mentioned the difficulty of changing the front seat at the end of the 50kg range and noted that she still had a long way to go. “How much have you eaten so far, Kim Hyun-ah?” she asked, revealing her weight as 49kg on the scale.

In the past, Hyun-ah has confessed to suffering from vagus nerve fainting due to severe dieting and being underweight.

Personal Reflections and SNS Updates

Hyun-ah has often used her SNS to share personal reflections with her fans. Her recent post included a series of emotional messages:

“I’m so sorry..
Although it was a short period after the concert
I wanted to show you a good side of me
I don’t think it was professional
Actually, I don’t remember anything either
I kept thinking about this and that
I really wanted to tell you.
crying
A lot of Macau fans came
Of course, not only A-ing
Everyone pays for it
I think it was a performance that you came to see
I’m sorry, and I’m really sorry.”

She also addressed her determination to improve, asking, “Will you continue to work harder and build your physical strength? What if everything’s my way? It would be great? I’ll try.”

Hyun-ah concluded with a heartfelt thank you to her fans, emphasizing that she is fine and urging them not to worry. “I want to say thank you for adoring, caring, and loving me since I was very young. I’m really fine! Don’t worry about me! Good night to everyone. Good night.”

Other Notable Updates

In addition to her apology, Hyun-ah shared updates about various other topics on her SNS. These included mentions of her husband, singer Kim Sun-young, and his efforts during chemotherapy. She also referenced news about Park Joonghoon’s health and other celebrity updates.

Her posts often reflect a mix of personal reflections and public updates, keeping her fans engaged and informed about her life and career.

Pierce Brosnan, the iconic James Bond actor, has reconnected with his estranged son after a 20-year separation. The 72-year-old star was seen leaving a stylish bistro in London’s Notting Hill last week alongside his 52-year-old filmmaker son, Christopher. This reunion marks a significant moment in their relationship, which had been strained for years.

Christopher, who worked as an assistant director on two of Pierce’s James Bond films, is the biological son of Pierce’s late first wife, Australian actress Cassandra Harris, and her ex-husband Dermot. He was adopted by Pierce and his current wife, Keely Shaye, when they married. This happened after Christopher’s birth father passed away in 1986.

Throughout his life, Christopher has faced numerous challenges. He appeared in the original series of Love Island in 2005 and struggled with addiction to cocaine and heroin. In 1997, he was jailed for three months for drink-driving after previously being fined £1,000 for the same offense. In 2002, he nearly died from a drug overdose, and in 2005, he was arrested for possession of heroin.

His sister, Charlotte, passed away in 2013 at the age of 41 due to ovarian cancer, the same illness that claimed her mother’s life. Their family has endured many hardships over the years.

In a 2005 interview with Playboy, Pierce spoke about the difficulties in his relationship with Christopher. He described his son as “still very lost” and acknowledged the pain of their estrangement. He said, “I can only have strong faith and believe he will recover.” Pierce also mentioned that Christopher had tested the family, especially himself, and that he knew how to get out of his situation but didn’t want to. He added, “You never completely cut them off, but I have cut Christopher off. I had to say: ‘Go. Get busy living, or get busy dying. He has my prayers.’”

During their recent meeting, an observer told the Mirror, “They both looked happy and relaxed while sitting down with one of Brosnan’s other sons, Dylan. Pierce and Christopher’s problems have been well documented. But it seems they’ve managed to put them behind them. It was really nice to see them together.”

Earlier this year, Pierce shared his “one regret” regarding his time as James Bond. The 72-year-old actor began his career on stage before gaining fame through the TV show Remington Steele in the 1980s. He then took on the role of 007 in the mid-1990s, starring in four films: GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

However, in September, he expressed a desire to return to his theatre roots after ending his Bond career, similar to how Daniel Craig did. “My acting teacher Christopher Fettes wanted me doing obscure 19th-century plays, but my dream was always movies,” he told The Guardian. “I was impressed that Daniel had the bottle to go back out there. I thought: ‘Why the heck didn’t I?’ You have to really want it, and I didn’t.”

He emphasized the importance of creativity beyond Bond. “It’s essential to be creative outside of Bond,” he added.

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A Vision for Transforming Nigeria’s Healthcare System

Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Tunji Olowolafe, has unveiled a bold and comprehensive plan aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s healthcare system. His vision is centered on moving beyond mere complaints about the current state of affairs and instead focusing on aggressive investment and innovation to make medical tourism “irrelevant.” This initiative was shared during a statement released in response to the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) conference, which took place in Abuja under the theme “Reversing Medical Tourism, Africans Investing in Africa.”

Olowolafe emphasized the urgent need to tackle the issue of capital flight, highlighting that Africa loses approximately $7 billion annually due to medical tourism, with Nigeria alone accounting for an estimated $2 billion. He described this outflow as a significant drain on confidence, capacity, and hope for the future.

He pointed out that Nigeria possesses the talent and potential to lead globally in the medical field. The nation is home to some of the best doctors, lawyers, and engineers in the world. With focused effort, he believes the Nigerian medical industry could become one of the best in the world within the next five years.

Key Strategies for Transformation

To achieve this transformation, Olowolafe outlined four key strategies:

1. Action-Driven Leadership: Emphasizing the need for decisive and effective leadership in the healthcare sector.
2. Investment in Enterprise: Encouraging private sector involvement and large-scale investments in the medical industry.
3. Technological Leapfrogging: Promoting the use of advanced technologies to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
4. Rebuilding Public Trust: Focusing on restoring trust in local healthcare services through transparency and quality care.

Olowolafe called on the NMA to play a pivotal role as a “convenor of data, dialogue, and delivery.” He urged the association to engage government, private sector players, the diaspora, development partners, and private equity stakeholders to drive evidence-based policymaking. To fulfill this role, he stressed that the NMA secretariat must be adequately resourced with financial and human capital, including multi-sectoral executives to ensure strong leadership.

Government Efforts and Investor Confidence

Olowolafe acknowledged the existing efforts by the government, such as the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022, executive orders removing tariffs on medical machinery, and the Renewed Hope Agenda commitment to train 120,000 new health workers. These initiatives are seen as positive steps toward improving the healthcare landscape.

Addressing concerns from investors, Olowolafe insisted that Nigeria is “bankable,” encouraging private sector participation in large-scale medical investments. He highlighted opportunities arising from the expected $30 billion in foreign direct investment in the oil and gas sector by 2030, which could help establish “proper hospitals and trauma centers” in cities like Warri and Port Harcourt.

Training and Technological Advancement

Olowolafe also emphasized the importance of training doctors in “capitalism” through short courses in feasibility, economic analysis, and financial management. This would complement their clinical skills and prepare them for the business side of healthcare.

He highlighted the role of technology as a “great equalizer,” calling for a shift from being a market for medical solutions to becoming a “maker of medical breakthroughs.” He recommended integrated health ecosystems that connect doctors, laboratories, universities, and investors. Investments in digital health platforms, AI diagnostics, and blockchain-secured medical records were also suggested as essential components of this transformation.

Investment in Local Talent and Education

Olowolafe advocated for investing in local talent and medical education, arguing that the Nigerian educational system is “correct, appropriate, and of global standards,” despite the challenges posed by brain drain. He encouraged medical professionals to rebuild trust in local healthcare and to avoid strikes, noting that every day a strike persists, it delays care, postpones diagnosis, and erodes trust with patients.

He urged local investment in surgeons and biomedical engineers rather than relying on foreign solutions. His conclusion was clear: “When Africans invest in Africa, and the transformation plan is executed, medical tourism will not just be reversed—it will simply become irrelevant.”