January
Universities warn against ‘witch-hunt’ governance inquiry
The Labor-dominated committee will focus on financial management, but officials are worried about knee-jerk responses to tension about vice-chancellors’ pay and wage theft.
Is a university degree still worth it?
The pay premium for graduates is on the decline, while the sector is a mess and academics are asking whether we have reached “peak university”.
Uni leaders on notice as MP says they run a ‘lawless sector’
A new parliamentary committee will grill university leadership after a spate of management and governance failures.
November 2024
Force big tech to pay for AI training data: Senate committee
A Senate committee has recommended the government force tech companies to pay publishers, authors and artists for content used to train their bots.
September 2023
Qantas emails to stay secret because they could ‘embarrass’ airline
Transport Minister Catherine King’s department blocked access to three emails about Qatar Airways’ bid for more flights to Australia, claiming their release could cause “embarrassment, ridicule or public criticism”.
Ex-Qantas workers lose sleep waiting on High Court ruling
Since being abruptly sacked in 2021 many Qantas ground staff haven’t worked again. They will learn their fate on Wednesday morning.
Qantas v sacked workers: What does it all mean?
Transport Workers Union members and ex-Qantas employees are gathering in Canberra ahead of a historic ruling that will determine whether the airline was allowed to outsource workers.
Taxpayer bill for Grill’d ‘hamburger university’ hits $28.3m
The handouts helped boost the national burger chain’s pre-tax profit to $15.8 million even as its boss said profits were being “decimated”.
August 2023
Pocock clashes with government over small business red tape
David Pocock is demanding the government reduce red tape for small business by streamlining the payment of parental leave.
Qantas’ grand theft klepto
Alan Joyce claims he democratised airfares, but he’s sure as hell not going to democratise refunds.
Labor aims to ‘protect’ Qantas profit, Joyce clashes with senators
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has refused to say whether more competition from Qatar Airways would lower international airfares.
April 2022
Labor sticks to its guns on ‘insecure’ work
Labor has hit back at criticisms it has exaggerated the extent of “insecure” work, arguing there are too many part-time employees not working enough hours.
January 2021
Labor threat: Uber can run from courts but can't hide from Parliament
Labor's Tony Sheldon, a former TWU national secretary, is threatening to haul Uber before a hostile parliamentary committee into insecure work.
June 2020
Ex-TWU secretary meets ex-Virgin chief
We're sure John Borghetti and Tony Sheldon had much to discuss.
May 2020
Labor senator calls for ASIC investigation into Rex
Tony Sheldon says the company's "failure to inform the ASX ... flies in the face of Australian corporate standards".