The Morrison Government's legislative changes last year to casual employment failed to generate any significant increase in conversion to permanency, according to a new report.
FWC acting president Adam Hatcher says the new secure work and gender equality objectives will apply to cases already before the FWC, as well as the 2022-23 annual wage review.
The Secure Jobs, Better Pay Act has received Royal Assent, stamping out pay secrecy clauses in new employment contracts, paring back MSD requirements and making it harder for employers to terminate agreements during bargaining, while the ABCC has entered a transition period ahead of its abolition.
The ETU has confirmed that it will challenge a Federal Court ruling that "neuters" unions' rights to enter workplaces to organise workers through a restrictive interpretation of provisions allowing access for "discussions" with employees.
The Greens will push for the Albanese Government's next tranche of IR legislation to include a "right to disconnect" outside working hours and "roster justice" that gives workers with variable hours have more predictability and certainty.
The FWC has approved a company's transfer of employees to a newly purchased entity, to remove any connection to an associated entity embroiled in fraud and corruption and the risk of "brand damage".
Union officials can't use their right to enter premises for discussions with members to gather signatures on petitions or "secure a commitment to a particular course of action in the future", the Federal Court has found, ruling in favour of an employer that blocked access for an organiser who sought workers' backing for a majority support determination.
Then Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese's call for a 5.1% pay rise for the lowest-paid ahead of the May federal election confirmed Labor as the party for working Australians, offered a closing contrast between the Morrison Government and a better future under the ALP, according to Labor's post-poll review.
As ROC staff await their transfer to the FWC, the watchdog has found that a former AEU ACT branch secretary did not improperly use his position, while it is also pursuing the AWU and a CFMMEU mining and energy division Queensland district leader in the Federal Court.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that employers will have 12 months to comply with the Secure Jobs Act's limits on fixed-term contracts - the part of the legislation likely to have the broadest practical impact on employers, according to a leading IR law academic.