Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke intends to amend the Closing Loopholes No 2 legislation so that "employee-like" workers in the gig economy and in road transport cannot "double-dip" in the federal and state IR systems.
While major changes to the NSW IR Act that usher in mutual gains bargaining and scrap the State Government's power to cap wages are now in effect, parts of the legislation that re-establish the Industrial Court are yet to be proclaimed.
A leading IR legal expert says Victoria's selection as host jurisdiction for a harmonised labour hire licensing scheme and National Labour Hire Regulator is a "fitting reflection" of its contribution in recent years, but the industry peak body has expressed disappointment and surprise.
The IEU is mourning the passing of former federal president and NSW/ACT secretary John Quessy, who spearheaded its long-running Teachers are Teachers campaign to gain parity between university-trained early childhood teachers and their counterparts in primary schools.
The Minns Labor Government has introduced IR changes that "remove the power to cap wages for good" and replace it with a "mutual gains bargaining" system, while also boosting the NSW IRC's powers and restoring it as an integrated court and tribunal.
The High Court has this afternoon declined to hear DEWR's challenge to a ruling that limits funds available to pay employee entitlements when a company goes under.
A court has today found a Qantas subsidiary guilty of engaging in unlawful discriminatory conduct against an elected health and safety representative as COVID-19 emerged, ruling that the flawed manner in which he consulted did not invalidate his cease-work directions or the airline's defence.
The Victorian Government, the State's Trades Hall and the ASU are calling for the Albanese Government to stick to its pre-election commitment to enact a carve-out in the Closing Loopholes Bill so that state wage theft laws can continue to operate.
State Labor governments intervening in a High Court constitutional challenge to Victoria's wage theft laws are arguing there is no inconsistency with the Fair Work Act that could void a criminal prosecution, in a case coinciding with the Albanese Government's plan to introduce federal sanctions of up to 10 years in prison and maximum fines of $8 million.
The Minns Labor Government's first State Budget establishes a $3.6 billion Essential Services Fund to support future wage rises for public sector workers.
