The Turnbull Government is seeking to make a direct link between the Heydon Royal Commission's findings and the ABCC legislation that looks set to be a double-dissolution trigger, but there is no concrete policy connection between the two, according to a leading IR academic.
The Turnbull Government's threat of a double dissolution election is yet to convince crucial Senate crossbenchers to pass the ABCC and registered organisations bills next month.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is recalling both houses of parliament for a crunch vote on the bills to re-establish the ABCC and set up the Registered Organisations Commission, which is expected to pave the way for a double dissolution election.
Almost 2500 Dick Smith Electronics employees will lose their jobs, after the company's receivers announced this afternoon that they will close 301 stores in Australia after failing to find a buyer.
The Opposition has given notice that it will introduce a Private Member's Bill that would trigger a crackdown on underpayments, sham contracting and exploitation of temporary visa workers.
A court has taken an employer to task for making false representations to interns who were told their terms and conditions complied with minimum standards.
Key crossbench senators have sided with Labor and the Greens to delay a vote on legislation to re-establish the ABCC until at least the middle of March.
