Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has belatedly confirmed his support for the Fair Work Commission's decision to cut Sunday penalty rates, representing his position as consistent with the Liberals' "backing" of small business.
Gagged former Seven West Media executive assistant Amber Harrison today raised the stakes significantly in the wake of her affair with CEO Tim Worner when high-profile barrister Julian Burnside QC appeared on her behalf to argue that a cross claim alleging the network failed to provide her with a safe working environment should be heard in the Federal Court.
NSW owner-drivers and contractors have lauded the finalisation of new transport industry rates and conditions after the NSWIRC approved the updating and geographical expansion of 'contracts of carriage' that had not been reviewed in more than 30 years.
The RBA has conceded its forecasts for wage growth have been "consistently too strong" for at least the past five years, but says there is limited evidence that the low rises are due to workers’ declining bargaining power.
Unions say the axing of more than 800 workers on the $36 billion Ichthys gas project in Darwin has turned the spotlight onto the ABCC's expanded role in monitoring security of payments in the construction industry.
Australian Mines and Metals Association chief executive Steve Knott has lampooned a full Federal Court's ruling on union discussions with members in workplace lunchrooms, telling a forum they will next be hearing of unions "accessing aeroplane cockpits because the pilots are occasionally munching on muesli bars".
New ACTU secretary Sally McManus has made it clear today that she is not backing down from her support for "so-called illegal industrial action", while she said the Greens had raised some "important questions" in their push for a "conversation" around a four-day working week or six-hour working days.
