Yesterday
Class action flagged over CFMEU and Setka ‘blacklist’
A law firm is preparing a class action against the CFMEU and former leader John Setka for allegedly banning its own members from the industry.
This Month
Pub owners’ assets frozen amid fake GST refunds investigation
The former directors of collapsed hospitality empire Virtical have had their assets frozen amid an inquiry into hundreds of millions of dollars of fake GST claims.
Dutton backs US-style racketeering laws to tackle CFMEU
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brands Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s response to reports of CFMEU and bikie misconduct on government projects as “a wet lettuce”.
BlueRock facing $3m in directors’ dismissal claims
The professional services firm is alleged to have sacked one accounting director without notice in part because he did not say ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ to a staffer.
Builder Roberts Co puts Victorian business into administration
The NSW builder, which expanded to Victoria to take up work after Probuild failed, has come unstuck on two of those projects. It is now quitting the state.
Professional services firm loses restraint case as poachings spike
National professional services firm Blue Rock has failed to secure court orders stopping a former senior employee from soliciting its clients at a rival firm.
AFP raids Melbourne properties in CFMEU investigation
Police have executed two search warrants in Melbourne as part of its investigation into criminality in the construction industry.
Rio Tinto braces for union deal after workers’ historic vote
Mining unions are claiming the support of the majority of workers at a key Rio Tinto iron ore hub, paving the way for orders to force the miner into bargaining.
Bosses say WFH has made timesheets – and penalty rates – unworkable
Employers want to exempt millions of workers in administrative, finance and IT jobs from penalty rates in return for a salary increase.
Penalty rates battle could leave retail workers $5k worse off: union
The retail union has argued that workers rostered on nights and weekends could be left $4000 to $5000 worse under employers’ proposal to buy out their penalty rates.
Energy transition warning as militant union wins access to key project
A significant court ruling extends ETU influence on key green energy projects which industry players warn could result in costs “going through the roof”.
Coles, RBA warning on push to guarantee Armaguard jobs
Major banks and supermarkets are warning the workplace umpire’s intervention into crisis talks to fund the cash-in-transit business would have far-reaching effects for commercial deals and competition.
Gatto-linked firm leaves $14m tax bill
A labour hire firm backed by builders and the CFMEU on major Victorian government jobs, despite having no licence, has defaulted on millions of dollars in taxes.
‘Oh, the irony’: Bosses chide Maurice Blackburn for lawyer shutout
Employers have seized on the union-aligned law firm’s shut out of its workers in response to a historic billing ban as justification for lockout powers in IR disputes.
Government subcontractor collapse leaves $30m tax debt
An investor tied to firms winning state government work has had a second company linked to him collapse owing taxes, raising questions about procurement policies.
CFMEU to campaign against Dutton despite Labor administration
Despite being under administration, a senior CFMEU officer has told members the union will campaign against Peter Dutton’s threat to deregister the union if elected.
ACTU targets blue-collar seats to protect Labor, defend IR gains
Unions will marshal thousands of activists to shore up Labor’s blue-collar vote in dozens of at-risk regional and outer-suburban seats.
The right to disconnect is becoming the right to sue
Most workers invoking Labor’s new right to disconnect are using it to sue employers for sackings or disciplinary decisions.
February
‘Easy money’: regulators lax on a scam that costs the economy $5b a year
Despite decades of debate, reviews and legal reforms, the tax-avoidance used in phoenixing has never seemed so blatant.
Chase has stalled in suspected $180m corporate fraud case
A liquidator has not been able to secure ATO funding to aid an investigation into a suspected tax fraud in the construction industry.