Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke intends to amend the Closing Loopholes No 2 legislation so that "employee-like" workers in the gig economy and in road transport cannot "double-dip" in the federal and state IR systems.
A leading IR legal expert says Victoria's selection as host jurisdiction for a harmonised labour hire licensing scheme and National Labour Hire Regulator is a "fitting reflection" of its contribution in recent years, but the industry peak body has expressed disappointment and surprise.
The Victorian Government, the State's Trades Hall and the ASU are calling for the Albanese Government to stick to its pre-election commitment to enact a carve-out in the Closing Loopholes Bill so that state wage theft laws can continue to operate.
In what is believed to be the first workplace breastfeeding discrimination ruling, a tribunal has found that a KFC franchisee indirectly discriminated against a worker when it told her to express milk in a tent, within a storeroom with no door.
State Labor governments intervening in a High Court constitutional challenge to Victoria's wage theft laws are arguing there is no inconsistency with the Fair Work Act that could void a criminal prosecution, in a case coinciding with the Albanese Government's plan to introduce federal sanctions of up to 10 years in prison and maximum fines of $8 million.
A majority of Australia's governments have today agreed to incorporate industrial manslaughter provisions in the national model OHS laws, while they unanimously backed an immediate start to preparatory work for a ban on manufactured stone products linked with silicosis and other lung diseases.
Casino Canberra has failed to knock out orders to pay damages for discriminating against a union delegate who spoke to media or legal costs after a tribunal found its in-house lawyer had trouble separating his roles as its legal representative and sole witness.
Victoria's Andrews Labor Government will employ 2000 additional public school teachers, reduce face-to-face teaching hours and boost pay by 2% a year under a four-year deal struck with the AEU, but in NSW unions are holding out for a 10% to 15% raise.
A parliamentary inquiry into the future of the working week will probe questions such as whether the disruption caused by COVID-19 has created an opportunity and impetus for introducing a four-day week.