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Labour productivity in the private sector increased by 2% in the 12 months to July, just below the 30-year average of 2.2%, according to new data released today by the Productivity Commission.

The Victorian WorkCover Authority has confirmed it has laid charges against Grocon group companies over last year’s wall collapse in Melbourne that killed three pedestrians.

NSW Shadow IR Minister Adam Searle says the Baird Government has "busted" its wages cap with a new deal that goes beyond the 2.5% public service limit by paying for two-thirds of a recent massive rise in police officers' insurance premiums.

Australia Post acted harshly in disciplining two employees who had solid OHS reasons for refusing to work additional overtime, but was entitled to transfer their union delegate for his aggressive reaction to the sanctions, the Fair Work Commission has found.

The Federal Court has added another $61,000 to the CFMEU's $250,000 bill for unprotected industrial action on the Brookfield Multiplex Perth hospital project last year, but in doing so has taken into account that the strike was in support of an injured worker and not for just a "self-interested purpose".

The Federal Court has overturned a ruling by the Federal Circuit Court that paint manufacturer Wattyl did not breach its enterprise agreement when it directed employees to take annual leave during a production scale-down in 2012.

The Coalition has warned public servants there will be "minimal capacity for wage increases" in bargaining to replace 114 enterprise agreements covering 165,000 employees that are due to expire on June 30.

The federal government's decision as part of its "red tape" repeal campaign to rescind the IR guidelines for government cleaning contracts suggests it is "willing to turn a blind eye to labour law non-compliance by its own contractors", according to a procurement expert, Melbourne Law School associate professor John Howe.

Gender reporting requirements for businesses with more than 100 employees will stay as they are for another year, while new minimum reporting standards will apply to non-government employers with more than 500 employees from October, Employment Minister Eric Abetz has announced.

The Coalition has made good on its election promise to launch a new guide and online learning program to help small business owners to hire new employees.