A Senate inquiry has urged Public Service Minister Michaelia Cash to intervene in the federal public sector bargaining dispute and soften the "intransigent" Coalition's "brutally hard-line" bargaining policy by relaxing the 2% wages cap and removing the prohibition on backpay, but Government senators have flatly rejected the recommendations.
Key crossbench senator Nick Xenophon will push for a security of payments working group in return for supporting the Turnbull Government's legislation to re-establish the ABCC.
Justice Susan Kiefel is set to be the High Court's first female chief justice on the retirement of the incumbent, Robert French, while Federal Court Justice James Edelman is to join her on the bench.
As debate resumed on the ABCC legislation in the Senate this morning, the Greens introduced into the House a bill to protect loadings and penalty rates for weekend and night work, while Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten presented legislation to further restrict the use of 457 visas.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has indicated that she will pursue domestic violence allegations against CEPU leader Jim Metcher in the Fair Work Commission.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection is to put forward a draft workplace determination to the FWC by this Friday and the CPSU will then have a fortnight to respond.
A Registered Organisations Commission with ASIC-style powers and penalties will be established within the FWO, using transferring FWC staff, after the Coalition won crucial support from crossbench senators in exchange for greater protection for whistleblowers.
The Turnbull Government has confirmed today that it will re-introduce legislation to require industry super funds to have at least one-third independent directors, including an independent chair.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash will intervene before the Fair Work Commission if any attempt is made to seek FWC approval of the new enterprise agreement for Victoria's Country Fire Authority.
Victoria's Andrews Labor Government will review state laws regulating owner-drivers and forestry contractors, arguing that the decision to scrap the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal has ramped-up pressure on heavy vehicle operators.
