A gathering in Melbourne yesterday to celebrate the life of employer advocate George Polites heard tributes from IR Minister Kelly O'Dwyer and Hancock committee chair Keith Hancock.
George Polites, one of the nation's longest-serving and most prominent advocates for Australian industry, has passed away peacefully at his home in Melbourne, aged 100.
Former Howard Government IR Minister Peter Reith, barrister Stuart Wood and union leader Graeme Kelly have been recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours.
Just months after employers called on the Coalition to consider installing seven new FWC members, pointedly highlighting the number of ALP appointees, the Morrison Government has announced five new deputy presidents and a commissioner, many with strong links to the business sector.
The FWC should continue to be the "quality filter" for approving default superannuation funds in awards, according to newly-installed industry super overseer Greg Combet.
Retiring industry super fund architect Garry Weaven has urged the ACTU to integrate its campaign for wage increases with plans to raise compulsory superannuation contributions to 12%, dismissing a recent think tank report arguing the two are incompatible.
A key architect of the industry superannuation movement, Garry Weaven, has challenged the push by unions to ban for-profit retail super funds, following the damning evidence heard by the Hayne Royal Commission.
Former ACTU president Sharan Burrow faces a challenge to her position as secretary-general of the International Trade Union Confederation, the top job in the global union movement.