The leader of the ANMF's West Australian branch, Mark Olson, is stepping down after 24 years in the job and an often mercurial approach, which included taking the view that unions should not "shy away" from the Abbott Government's Heydon royal commission into trade unions.
A score of former union officials and activists moved into Parliament 15 years ago when the Rudd Labor Government took power at the "Work Choices" poll, but this time is different, with only a few winning, or a chance of winning, seats in Saturday's election victory for the party.
Former AWU leader Bill Ludwig has been remembered as no-nonsense ex-shearer who dedicated his life to the union and became highly influential in the Labor Party in Queensland and nationally.
An FWC member has rejected a recusal application from employees Virgin Australia dismissed for refusing to disclose their vaccination status, amid concerns that his frequent flyer membership made him biased.
An IR manager who recently gave evidence in his company's FWC bid for a s418 anti-industrial-action order will now be sitting on the Commission's bench, after Attorney-General and IR Minister Michaelia Cash made a last-minute appointment ahead of the election anticipated next month.
Attorney General and IR Minister Michaelia Cash has today appointed a senior Sydney IR and employment silk as a Federal Court judge, while she has refused to confirm whether she intends to make any FWC appointments ahead of the Government going into caretaker mode.
With a federal election likely in May, IR Minister Michaelia Cash has thumbed her nose at Labor's plan to axe the Registered Organisations Commission, giving Mark Bielecki another two years as its leader.
Former ASU assistant national secretary Linda White has emerged as a leading contender to replace veteran Labor Senator for Victoria and former frontbencher Kim Carr.
