The Federal Court has significantly reduced fines imposed on the CFMMEU and its officials, finding that despite the High Court's Pattinson ruling clearing the way for maximum penalties for repeated breaches of IR laws, courts can still curtail penalties on public interest grounds or other factors including the "utilitarian value of admissions".
The Fair Work Ombudsman will not automatically respond to complaints or requests for assistance about commercial construction matters by conducting site visits, the watchdog told a Senate committee last night.
The Albanese Government is seeking feedback on proposals to enhance private sector workers' privacy protections but employers are already warning that removing Privacy Act exemptions for employee records could create major problems.
Some Australian universities have engaged in "passive resistance" when questioned over employee underpayments and record-keeping, according to Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker.
The Secure Jobs Act's supported bargaining stream could deliver better results for home care workers if it is amended to enable negotiations to begin earlier and bring funding parties to the table from the start, while the underlying award should also be bolstered to provide a more robust foundation, according to leading care sector IR experts.
New NTEU national secretary Damien Cahill says the union is seeking to replicate recent flagship deals but is disappointed some universities are offering agreements directly to staff, while the head of the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association suggests more non-union deals might be on the way.
A Federal Court judge has halved a litigation funder's claimed portion of $98 million paid to "misled" 7-Eleven franchisees, finding that even if he agreed with its calculations, he lacked the power to make commission-based common fund orders after settlements are agreed.
The Albanese Government will be able to make substantial progress on its promise of "rebalancing" the FWC, after the tribunal confirmed today that it has funding for 13 new members, or a quarter of its primary appointments.
The Albanese Government's second tranche of IR legislation this year will re-start the stalled review of default superannuation funds and make payroll deductions easier, DEWR officials told a Senates Estimates hearing this afternoon.
A High Court majority has ruled that caps on union spending in NSW by-elections are unconstitutional, finding they "impermissibly burden" freedom of communication on governmental and political matters.
