This Month
Bipartisan illusion on pay rises
It’s the magic pudding pitch. Even Peter Dutton is joining Labor in pretending that real wages can increase while productivity is shrinking.
Employers call for 2.5pc minimum wage increase
A major employer group argues any above-inflation increase in the minimum wage must be linked to productivity, clashing with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
A Trump-proof Australia needs productive industrial relations
The lack of a real election contest over greater workplace flexibility will condemn Australia to lower productivity and leave the nation less protected.
Labor targets Dutton’s WFH wind-back as ‘straight from DOGE playbook’
Labor will launch an attack on the Coalition’s return-to-the-office plans and public sector cuts by comparing them to Elon Musk’s cost-cutting outfit under Trump.
March
Details of Albanese’s pre-cyclone fundraiser revealed
The prime minister dined with donors as millions on the eastern seaboard braced for Cyclone Alfred.
February
Dutton must explain GFC share trades: PM
The opposition leader has denied misusing market sensitive information about the Rudd government’s stimulus plans to manage the global financial crisis.
Union officials appointed to steer Fair Work under Labor laws
The Albanese government has appointed four more union-aligned officials to the workplace tribunal as it gears up for the federal election.
Albanese says rail union alienating people of NSW
Chris Minns could ask federal Labor for intervention if NSW government fails to get Sydney Trains industrial action suspended
Minns shrugs off fears rail row will hurt Albanese in election
The NSW premier says commuters, not the Labor Party, are his priority.
A worker said one negative word to a customer. AI dobbed him in
A new report on AI’s effect on jobs in the finance industry found “sentiment bots” were analysing worker conversations with customers.
Virgin rules out CEO frontrunner after Labor criticisms
Paul Jones was shaping up as the likely replacement for Jayne Hrdlicka. Not everyone was happy to hear he was heading for the top job.
Review into IR laws backs abolition of watchdog despite CFMEU threats
Employers “cannot fathom” how a review into Labor’s scrapping of the ABCC found no need to revive it after widespread reports of intimidation.
Homesick FIFO workers earning $190k stir talk of Pilbara unionisation
Sweeping industrial relations changes have inflamed fears among miners that the Pilbara will revert to its recalcitrant past. Unions want a seat at the table in the resource-rich region.
January
Change to small wage theft claims could prompt ‘go away money’ surge
A departmental recommendation that employers pay workers’ legal costs if they lose underpayment cases of up to $100,000 has sparked business fears.
Assault on retail penalty rates may spread to other jobs: ACTU
A major push to simplify the retail award, backed by Coles, Woolworths, 7-Eleven and Mecca, has sparked union fears of a broader attack on penalty rates.
Unions want ‘same-looking job, same pay’: BHP
BHP lawyers have urged the umpire to adopt a “big picture” approach to exemptions from same job, same pay laws for the company’s labour hire firms.
Labor launches New Year’s Day attack on business over wages
Labor has kicked off the election year with an assault on business and the Coalition, accusing them of wanting to maximise profits and pay workers less.
December 2024
‘Give us a chance’: More visas not enough to fix skills crisis
According to a recently launched coalition of business groups, unions and community organisations, more than 620,000 permanent migrants work below their skill levels and qualifications.
November 2024
CFMEU rally throws down gauntlet despite smaller turnout
A rogue CFMEU delegate called on workers to ignore messages from the union’s administrator, while a Greens MP praised protesters for “not listening” to his warnings.
AAT lawyer accused of ‘vile language’ in tweets targeting conservatives
The new Administrative Reviews Tribunal deputy president Clare Thompson allegedly abused conservatives on Twitter, and described Liberals as “misogynistic toe rags”.