The Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates, passed by Parliament on Thursday, has now become law after Governor-General Sam Mostyn granted Royal Assent, while the workplace protection orders legislation is set to be considered by the Senate.
The Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates has passed both houses of parliament, after the Senate this morning endorsed it without further amendments.
The Greens in a Senate inquiry report released today have backed the Albanese Government's legislation to protect award penalty and overtime rates, but have called for a minor amendment.
Almost a year since the FWC inserted right to disconnect terms in awards and on the eve of the entitlement extending to small businesses, the FWC is indicating that the lack of any significant case law since its inception suggests it should delay a promised 12-month review and development of guidelines.
FWC President Adam Hatcher has conceded the tribunal can juggle only so many balls, placing on ice its scrutiny of potential gender bias in awards' overtime provisions after the publication of an internal research paper.
In its latest clean-up of superannuation in awards, the FWC has observed that after more than a decade it still does not have the required members to constitute an expert panel to keep tabs on default funds terms.
The FWC is inviting quick submissions in its crucial work from home test case ahead of a directions hearing pushed back to September 5, after providing data underpinning WFH research criticised by the Australian Industry Group, while Victoria is consulting on WFH legislation to be introduced next year.
The Senate inquiry into the Albanese Government's Protecting Penalty and Overtime Rates legislation is seeking submissions this week, ahead of a hearing next week.
Employers are seeking work-from-home-related changes to the clerks award to make it easier to spread out working hours without requiring penalty rates, remove minimum engagement restrictions and overhaul meal and rest break provisions.
Workers would be earning $350 more a week if wages had kept up with productivity growth since 2000, and and in its productivity pursuit the Albanese Government should focus on pushing wealth down the income scale by strengthening labour laws and institutions, rather than perpetuating the "trickle down" myth, according to new Australia Institute research.
