Christian Porter (Coalition, 2019 - ) page 3 of 15

Former FWC vice president Graeme Watson has resigned as senior advisor to IR Minister Christian Porter.

The much-reduced IR omnibus Bill passed Parliament today, after the House of Representatives accepted the Senate's amendments, while the Government has also made regulations for its union demerger legislation.

The Morrison Government has today pushed through the Senate a vastly reduced version of its much-hyped bid to overhaul the Fair Work Act, with changes to casual employment arrangements the only surviving element.

In the face of significant crossbench opposition, the Morrison Government has decided to only proceed with the IR Omnibus Bill's casual employment provisions, including a move to prevent so-called "double dipping" on entitlements.

In a blow to the Morrison Government's plans to overhaul the Fair Work Act, Centre Alliance Senator Stirling Griff says he will only support elements of the IR Omnibus Bill dealing with protections against wage theft and those that "provide certainty for casuals and their employers".

Pauline Hanson's One Nation says it is prepared to pass the Morrison Government's IR Omnibus Bill this week, provided its amendments are accepted.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is seeking advice on whether to delegate some of the responsibilities of IR Minister and Attorney-General Christian Porter while he is suing the ABC for defamation in the Federal Court, according to political sources.

Two key Senate crossbenchers have put forward a series of amendments that would effectively gut much of the Morrison Government's IR Omnibus Bill.

Attorney-General and IR Minister Christian Porter is suing the ABC over its reporting of allegations he raped a high school debating teammate in 1988.

In an inquiry report released this afternoon, Coalition senators have acknowledged disquiet from employers and unions about elements of the Omnibus IR Bill, but are urging its passage without further amendment.