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Murray Watt

This Month

Muhammad Ahsan Siddiqi’s qualifications as a civil engineer are recognised in Australia, but employers want local experience.

‘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.

  • Ronald Mizen

November

Sacked CFMEU NSW secretary Darren Greenfield speaking at the rally.

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.

  • David Marin-Guzman
Clare Thompson has been accused of “vile language” on Twitter.

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”.

  • Hannah Wootton
A neighbourhood in Jabaliya, in northern Gaza Strip, destroyed earlier this year.

Scrutiny on visas for Gazans after Palestinian placed in detention

A Palestinian person offered temporary refuge in Australia has had their visa cancelled on character grounds.

  • Andrew Tillett

October

Former ABCC chief Nigel Hadgkiss said no more “expensive” royal commissions into the CFMEU and the construction industry were necessary.

Labor’s claimed ignorance of CFMEU thuggery ‘outlandish’: ex-ABCC boss

The former head of the building industry watchdog said he repeatedly alerted parliament to union links with bikies and organised crime over two decades. 

  • Updated
  • David Marin-Guzman
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Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has been accusing of walking back a deal to review the small business definition.

Labor accused of backtracking on small business IR review

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt flatly refuses to expand the scope of the Fair Work Act’s definition, “making a mockery” of a Labor crossbench deal.

  • Updated
  • David Marin-Guzman
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Vocus’ $5b TPG fibre deal; New Lendlease boss; Star fundie goes solo

Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.

Premier Steven Miles and daughter Bridie at Labor’s campaign launch on Sunday. A pledge to offer free school lunches will cost $1.4 billion.

Queensland Labor promises free school lunches in a $1.4b vote grab

Economists say the cash splash is another example of state governments making it harder for the RBA to reduce inflation and cut interest rates.

  • James Hall and John Kehoe
Anthony Albanese and Petter Dutton ahead of the 2024 Queensland election.

Albanese, Dutton avoid Qld hustings ahead of looming Labor loss

In the defiantly parochial state, a visit from the boss in Canberra doesn’t always work as intended.

  • James Hall

September

Murray Watt will carry a significant burden in two crucial elections.

The unassuming senator with Labor’s fortunes on his shoulders

Queensland is at the centre of two crucial elections in the coming months, and the personable Murray Watt might be the bridge builder who helps tip things for the ALP.

  • James Hall

Do you know this week’s news? Answer these 10 questions

Have you been paying attention this week? Test your knowledge across politics, business and world news.

  • Daniel Arbon
Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt.

Dutton’s plan to tear up IR laws on par with Work Choices: Labor

The government says it is prepared to tweak its IR laws, but there will be no wholesale change as it gears up for an election fight on wages.

  • Phillip Coorey
The CFMEU rally in Melbourne.

Labor says CFMEU situation is under control. But look on the streets

The CFMEU rallies are the obvious signs of turmoil behind the scenes as a government-appointed administrator struggles to deal with union threats.

  • Jennifer Hewett
Cbus’ CFMEU-picked directors have left but three more are awaiting approval to replace them.

Minister, watchdog put onus on Cbus to decide on controversial directors

Industrial Relations Minister Murray Watt and the prudential watchdog sidestepped any endorsement of union firebrand Paddy Crumlin to the board.

  • Hannah Wootton
The broader labour movement and all politicians need to stop turning a blind eye to toxic CFMEU leaders.

Put new ‘cop on beat’ to stop CFMEU menace machine

We need a new national body with the right powers and accountability to fairly police the threat-filled no-go, police-free zone of Australian life.

  • Mike Zorbas
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CSIRO says renewables deliver the cheapest electricity and a nuclear plant would cost up to $16 billion to build.

How much water does nuclear really need?

The Coalition’s plan for atomic energy has raised concerns about the amount of water that reactors will use in a hotter and drier Australia.

  • Christopher Niesche

August

CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.

At CFMEU protests, the most important group didn’t turn up

The average trade union member these days is not a big beefy bloke in a hard hat and black T-shirt, but a 46-year-old female nurse.

  • Phillip Coorey
Resources Minister Madeleine King and BHP CEO Mike Henry.

Qantas, BHP warn on wage rises as IR tensions flare

Qantas has hinted at job cuts or fare increases to cover an enforced $60 million wage hike. BHP has reacted after being accused of peddling “hysteria”.

  • Updated
  • Phillip Coorey and Tom Rabe
Workers at the CFMEU protest in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Labor, teals turn on Greens over CFMEU embrace

Zoe Daniel and Allegra Spender have joined the Albanese government in castigating the Greens for cosying up to the CFMEU.

  • Phillip Coorey
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Inflation slows; Tabcorp’s $1.4b write-down; $2.2b for Forrests

Read everything that’s happened in the news so far today.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/person/murray-patrick-watt-6fnh