Media archives
The media releases in this section showcase the work of the former Workplace Ombudsman (WO) and the Office of Workplace Services (OWS). The work relates to Commonwealth workplace laws that applied before 1 July 2009. We have archived them for historical purposes.
Select the article heading to open the article in a new page.
Archives 2009 Archives 2008 Archives 2007 Archives 2006
2009
October
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30/10/2009 |
$25,000 back-pay for Riverland workers |
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29/10/2009 |
Workplace Rights Week a highlight for national pay protector |
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28/10/2009 |
$320,000 back-pay for Central NSW workers |
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27/10/2009 |
Union prosecuted over alleged unlawful industrial action |
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27/10/2009 |
Sydney CBD and Eastern suburbs workers back-paid $370,000 after watchdog intervenes |
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27/10/2009 |
Watchdog recoups $375,000 for workers in Northern and North-Western Sydney |
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27/10/2009 |
Workers in Western Sydney underpaid $380,000 |
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27/10/2009 |
Back-pay for workers in Sydney’s Southern and South-Western suburbs |
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26/10/2009 |
Company penalised $8500 for underpaying Toowoomba worker |
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26/10/2009 |
$837,000 back-pay for Canberra workers after watchdog intervenes |
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25/10/2009 |
Court fines “thoughtless, selfish, greed-driven” businessman who underpaid staff but gambled and lost millions |
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23/10/2009 |
$6000 fine for underpaying bingo caller |
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22/10/2009 |
$113,000 back-pay for 32 Casino workers |
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21/10/2009 |
$14,000 back-pay for two Mount Gambier workers after watchdog intervenes |
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20/10/2009 |
Launceston 8 share $60,000 in back-pay |
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17/10/2009 |
Union organised unlawful industrial action by Qantas baggage handlers, watchdog alleges |
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16/10/2009 |
Kangaroo Island hospitality worker gets $6000 back-pay after watchdog inquiry |
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15/10/2009 |
Butcher fined $62,000 for underpaying teenage apprentice |
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14/10/2009 |
Ballarat employer fined more than $105,000 for underpaying apprentice |
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13/10/2009 |
$22,500 fine for underpayment of South-West truck drivers |
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12/10/2009 |
Central Coast workers back-paid $256,000 |
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12/10/2009 |
Great Lakes/Taree workers back-paid $102,000 |
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12/10/2009 |
Watchdog recovers $60k for Cessnock workers |
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12/10/2009 |
Watchdog recovers $34,000 for Gloucester/Port Macquarie workers |
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12/10/2009 |
Watchdog recoups $58,000 for underpaid Muswellbrook/Upper Hunter workers |
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12/10/2009 |
Singleton workers back-paid $21,000 |
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12/10/2009 |
Newcastle inspectors recover almost $1 million for underpaid workers |
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11/10/2009 |
Four months work, but Adelaide company refuses to pay up, alleges watchdog |
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09/10/2009 |
Deniliquin shop worker underpaid $30,000, alleges watchdog |
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08/10/2009 |
Retail and hospitality focus in Tasmania |
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07/10/2009 |
Mindil Market target for national pay protector |
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06/10/2009 |
800 staff at Sydney nightspots underpaid $334,000, watchdog alleges |
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05/10/2009 |
More Adelaide cleaners to get back-pay |
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02/10/2009 |
Watchdog targets Bunbury-Australind-Eaton |
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01/10/2009 |
Victorian 7-Eleven stores to be audited in new campaign |
September
|
30/09/2009 |
Six Bendigo workers underpaid $120,000 |
|
28/09/2009 |
Pay protector helps underpaid young journalist secure $10,000 back-pay |
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28/09/2009 |
$15,500 in fines for delayed severance pay |
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25/09/2009 |
Thumbs up for Fair Work advice |
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24/09/2009 |
Melbourne workers victimised for complaining about underpayments, watchdog alleges |
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23/09/2009 |
Watchdog targets Royal Melbourne Show |
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21/09/2009 |
Watchdog probes maternity discrimination |
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18/09/2009 |
FWO appoints new legal panels |
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17/09/2009 |
Watchdog prosecutes Chili’s restaurants for allegedly underpaying teenage workers |
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16/09/2009 |
Former Coffs Harbour motel manager fined over underpayment of cleaners |
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15/09/2009 |
South Yarra restaurant faces court over alleged record-keeping failures |
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14/09/2009 |
Applecross cafe reimburses chef and waitress after watchdog identifies underpayments |
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11/09/2009 |
Pay protector targets Albury-Wodonga employers for random audits |
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10/09/2009 |
Darwin fast-food outlet underpaid young worker almost $25,000, watchdog alleges |
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08/09/2009 |
Melbourne patient transport business fined $55,000 for breaching workers’ rights |
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07/09/2009 |
We’ll go the extra mile to help build fair work, watchdog tells employers |
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06/09/2009 |
$35,000 penalty for underpayment of Ballarat security guard |
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04/09/2009 |
Watchdog targets Royal Adelaide Show |
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03/09/2009 |
WANTED - workers to claim $1.1m back-pay |
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02/09/2009 |
Two-thirds of WA wine businesses pass random wine industry audits |
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01/09/2009 |
Mt Gambier fitness club allegedly underpaid workers almost $40,000 |
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August
| 31/08/2009 |
Best practice guides an aid to improved workplace relations |
| 28/08/2009 |
New national campaign to assist horticulture industry |
| 27/08/2009 |
Fair Work Ombudsman recovers $406,000 for underpaid Sunshine Coast workers |
| 26/08/2009 |
Former Melbourne internet café operators face court over $33k alleged underpayment |
| 26/08/2009 |
Mildura security company fined $21,000 for pressuring workers to sign AWA |
| 25/08/2009 |
Random audits find 68 per cent pass rate for Bendigo Market Place employers |
| 25/08/2009 |
Watchdog helps underpaid workers in Melbourne’s east and south-east |
| 24/08/2009 |
St Kilda retailer short-changed workers more than $40,000, watchdog alleges |
| 19/08/2009 |
Ballarat employer underpaid apprentice $15,000, watchdog claims in court |
| 19/08/2009 |
Correction regarding proceedings against Efes bakery |
| 19/08/2009 |
$8000 redundancy pay recovered for underpaid worker at Melbourne law firm |
| 18/08/2009 |
Businessman picked wrong number for bingo caller’s pay packet, watchdog alleges |
| 17/08/2009 |
Roma company faces court for allegedly underpaying 17 workers almost $70,000 |
| 14/08/2009 |
Company and director face court over alleged $25,000 underpayment of two Sydney workers |
| 13/08/2009 |
Truck driver allegedly underpaid $32,000 |
| 12/08/2009 |
Darwin hairdresser faces court over alleged underpayment of apprentice |
| 11/08/2009 |
Court action over alleged underpayment of Toowoomba worker |
| 10/08/2009 |
South-West company faces court over alleged underpayments of almost $50,000 |
| 07/08/2009 |
Country hotel worker back-paid $10k |
| 07/08/2009 |
Canberra restaurant fined for underpaying Sri Lankan chef |
| 07/08/2009 |
Watchdog secures $11,000 back-pay for young Canberra worker |
| 06/08/2009 |
NSW cleaning contractor fined $80,000 fine for threatening staff over workplace agreements |
| 06/08/2009 |
$24,000 in fines for failing to pay workers any money for two months work |
| 06/08/2009 |
$42k back-pay for Canberra worker who lost job after 10 years |
| 04/08/2009 |
Chinese workers short-changed $20k, watchdog claims in court |
| 02/08/2009 |
BP Australia subsidiary to face court over alleged breaches of workplace agreement processes |
| 02/08/2009 |
Construction company paid Chinese workers less than $3 an hour, watchdog tells Court |
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July
| 31/07/2009 |
$43,425 in fines for underpayment of Perth restaurant workers |
| 30/07/2009 |
Directors face court over underpayments to security workers |
| 30/07/2009 |
Security companies throughout Australia will be randomly audited to ensure workers are being paid properly. |
| 29/07/2009 |
Watchdog helps recover $24,000 back-pay for Toorak kitchen-hand |
| 28/07/2009 |
City buildings targeted as watchdog investigates cleaners’ pay rates |
| 27/07/2009 |
Watchdog helps to educate international students on workplace rights |
| 25/07/2009 |
Watchdog’s random audits recoup $112,000 for city convenience store workers |
| 24/07/2009 |
Watchdog secures almost $12,000 back-pay for three Gold Coast workers |
| 24/07/2009 |
Random audits find 70 per cent pass rate for Mornington Peninsula employers |
| 23/07/2009 |
Perth baker faces court over alleged underpayment of delivery driver |
| 22/07/2009 |
Sydney real estate company accused of sham contracting, underpaying salesperson |
| 21/07/2009 |
Watchdog recovers $7000 for Gladstone worker |
| 20/07/2009 |
Watchdog warns employers to check redundancy payments |
| 20/07/2009 |
Fair Work Ombudsman recovers $470,000 for 700 food services workers |
| 19/07/2009 |
Record $200,000 fine for Melbourne car wash for short-changing staff |
| 17/07/2009 |
Watchdog recovers $28,000 for labourers |
| 16/07/2009 |
Wimmera employer to face court for allegedly underpaying staff |
| 15/07/2009 |
Sydney businessman accused of underpaying Chinese workers |
| 14/07/2009 |
Gold Coast company faces court over alleged underpayments of $10,000 |
| 13/07/2009 |
Clothing retailer reimburses teenage workers $10,000 after watchdog finds shortfall in pay |
| 12/07/2009 |
Melbourne fashion outlet allegedly underpaid workers almost $7000 |
| 10/07/2009 |
Newcastle bakery failed to keep employment records, watchdog claims |
| 09/07/2009 |
$60,000 penalty for employer who pressured teenage workers |
| 09/07/2009 |
Fair Work Ombudsman recoups $8000 back-pay for Goldfields couple |
| 08/07/2009 |
City convenience stores back-pay workers $50,000 after watchdog investigation |
| 07/07/2009 |
80 per cent pass workplace watchdog’s Gippsland hair and beauty checks |
| 06/07/2009 |
Restaurant worker’s query triggers back-payments to 129 co-workers |
| 02/07/2009 |
Helping hand for Small Business |
| 01/07/2009 |
New era in workplace relations |
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June
| 29/06/2009 |
Full Court of the Federal Court sets aside dismissal of Tristar case |
| 24/06/2009 |
Senior appointments to Fair Work |
| 22/06/2009 |
A Gold Coast company has been fined $20,000 for underpaying a casual truck driver almost $10,000, following a prosecution by the Federal Workplace Ombudsman. |
| 19/06/2009 |
Watchdog resolves truck driver’s underpayment case. |
| 18/06/2009 |
Brisbane directors fined $6600 each after Workplace Ombudsman prosecution. |
| 12/06/2009 |
Security workers short-changed $156k |
| 10/06/2009 |
Recycling company underpaid workers almost $300,000, watchdog alleges. |
| 7/06/2009 |
Watchdog warns employers against exploiting young workers. |
| 5/06/2009 |
Butcher to face court for allegedly underpaying apprentice. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Watchdog targets NSW snowfields for new campaign. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Company fined for underpaying restaurant chef $47,000. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Federal Workplace Ombudsman’s Toowoomba office recovers $750,000 for underpaid workers. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Federal Workplace Ombudsman recovers $54,000 for underpaid workers at Warwick and Stanthorpe. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Federal Workplace Ombudsman recovers $43,000 for underpaid Dalby/Chinchilla/Miles workers. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Federal Workplace Ombudsman recovers $122,000 for underpaid Roma and S-W Queensland workers. |
| 3/06/2009 |
Federal Workplace Ombudsman recovers $125,000 for underpaid Lockyer Valley workers. |
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May
| 27/05/2009 |
Sydney cleaners face scrutiny |
| 26/05/2009 |
Gold Coast mortgage broker owes workers $12,000, watchdog claims. |
| 22/05/2009 |
Queensland security companies face sham contracting investigation. |
| 20/05/2009 |
$10,000 back-pay for SA cleaner. |
| 18/05/2009 |
Perth finance business failed to provide pay records, watchdog claims. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Court fines restaurant owner for underpaying staff. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Bunbury inspectors recover $260,000 for underpaid workers. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Workplace watchdog recovers $42,000 for Mandurah workers. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Workplace watchdog recovers $29,000 for Busselton workers. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Workplace watchdog recovers $21,000 for Albany workers. |
| 14/05/2009 |
Workplace watchdog recovers $12,000 for Margaret River workers. |
| 10/05/2009 |
Hairdressers and beauty salons face national probe. |
| 8/05/2009 |
Watchdog recoups $6000 for deceased worker’s estate after complex investigation. |
| 6/05/2009 |
$4000 back-pay for SA stockman. |
| 5/05/2009 |
Tasmanian company faces court over $176,000 shortfall in staff wages. |
| 1/05/2009 |
Watchdog to revisit Queensland clubs after 1000 workers underpaid. |
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April
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March
| 31/03/2009 |
Watchdog recovers record $717,000 for hospitality workers. |
| 29/03/2009 |
Concerns for take-away food workers. |
| 26/03/2009 |
Gold Coast transport company faces court for allegedly underpaying driver. |
| 24/03/2009 |
20 per cent of businesses at three big shopping centres breach workplace laws. |
| 23/03/2009 |
$42,900 fine for company and director who underpaid three staff. |
| 22/03/2009 |
Back-pay for country workers. |
| 20/03/2009 |
Nursing home to pay back $92,000 to 32 of its aged care workers. |
| 19/03/2009 |
Wagga retail business underpays workers almost $90,000. |
| 17/03/2009 |
Workplace "cowboy" fined $80,000 for treating workers with contempt. |
| 16/03/2009 |
Watchdog targets Bendigo retailers for random audits. |
| 15/03/2009 |
Migrant workers pressured to sign AWAs, watchdog claims. |
| 12/03/2009 |
Townsville inspectors recover $282,000 for underpaid workers. |
| 11/03/2009 |
Fitzroy café faces court over underpayments to kitchen hands. |
| 9/03/2009 |
Frankston cleaning company fined $6600 for underpaying workers. |
| 8/03/2009 |
Companies face court for allegedly underpaying security guard $27k. |
| 6/03/2009 |
Watchdog targets employers on Great Ocean Road for random audits. |
| 5/03/2009 |
Hanssen appeal upheld, fine reduced to $85,750. |
| 5/03/2009 |
Albury café to face court for allegedly underpaying young workers.
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4/03/2009 |
Canberra tavern underpays workers $14,000. |
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February
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January
| 30/01/2009 |
Watchdog launches first prosecution over sham contracting. |
| 30/01/2009 |
Security guards felt pressure to sign AWAs, says workplace watchdog. |
| 28/01/2009 |
Mount Gambier inspectors recover $600,000 for underpaid workers. |
| 22/01/2009 |
Petrol retailer faces court for allegedly short-changing workers $500,000. |
| 22/01/2009 |
Adelaide company has to back-pay workers $90,000. |
| 19/01/2009 |
Pay protector finds 15 to 24-year-old workers vulnerable to exploitation. |
| 18/01/2009 |
Company director to face court over underpaid security officer. |
| 18/01/2009 |
11 lose jobs, but watchdog recovers $65,000 in redundancy payments. |
| 16/01/2009 |
East Gippsland employers underpay workers $40,000. |
| 16/01/2009 |
Warragul workers back-paid $70,000. |
| 16/01/2016 |
Butchers, bakers latest target of workplace watchdog in SA. |
| 15/01/2009 |
La Trobe Valley/Traralgon workers back-paid $125,000. |
| 15/01/2009 |
Sale workers back-paid $38,000. |
| 15/01/2009 |
South Gippsland workers back-paid $39,000. |
| 14/01/2009 |
Real estate salesman paid just $6.58 an hour, watchdog finds. |
| 12/01/2009 |
Rags dealer faces court for underpaying sorters and packers. |
| 11/01/2009 |
Pole dancer back-paid after workplace watchdog intrvenes. |
| 9/01/2009 |
Colac workers back-paid $25,000. |
| 9/01/2009 |
Portland workers back-paid $10,000. |
| 9/01/2009 |
Hamilton workers back-paid $15,000. |
| 9/01/2009 |
Legal bid to recover $21,000 owed to security staff. |
| 8/01/2009 |
Too “scared” to complain, but now it’s back-pay for 26 casual cleaners. |
| 6/01/2009 |
Warrnambool bosses who short-changed workers have to back pay $200,000. |
| 5/01/2009 |
Workers reimbursed after being underpaid for five years |
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2008
December
November
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October
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September
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August
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July
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June
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May
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April
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March
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February
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January
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2007
December
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November
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October
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September
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August
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July
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June
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May
April
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2006
December
November
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October
September
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July
June
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May
April
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