Management of plastics manufacturer Kemalex is blaming a nine-week strike by union members for its decision to put its Melbourne operation into voluntary administration.
700-page bill into Parliament tomorrow; Workplace Express to send out links; Some questions for tomorrow; Productivity Commission again pushes for retention of state IR systems; IR lawyer says WorkChoices rhetoric is empty; and Eye Popper the Shadow Minister's tip for the Cup.
Just two days before the introduction of the second wave IR changes, the Senate's workplace agreements inquiry's non-Government majority has accused the Howard Government of advertising that award conditions will be "protected by law" to create a smokescreen aimed at deceiving the public.
The Howard Government has revealed this evening that the total bill for the WorkChoices advertising campaign and associated activities has risen to $55m.
Living wage proceeding put back a day; ACCI seeks to head off threats to national IR system; BCA says its second wave advertising campaign won't cost more than $10m; NSW Government funds radio and print campaign against second wave; PM says second wave "big, but fair"; and Howard's IR plans too market-oriented, says Beazley.
The IMF has stood by its support for the Federal Government's proposed IR changes, rejecting union criticism that its September report on Australia was "uncritical", in a letter yesterday to ACTU president Sharan Burrow.
Andrews confirms workplace laws completely rewritten; Unions NSW commissions family impact statement on second wave laws; Victoria sets up workplace rights watchdog; Chaney new head of BCA; and Employer gets off after paying striking workers.
AIRC Senior Deputy President Matthew O'Callaghan will head up the Federal Government's Award Review Taskforce, while barrister Ross Dalgleish - who took part in the NSW building industry Royal Commission - will be the second Deputy Commissioner of the ABCC, Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews announced today.
The AIRC has today refused to issue a new federal entry permit to CFMEU (construction division) WA branch assistant secretary Joe McDonald, who had his previous permit revoked for a minimum of 12 months in 2001.
Prime Minister John Howard is not just Americanising Australia's IR system with his second wave IR proposals, he is mounting an attack on the "fair go" ethos, former Prime Minister Bob Hawke said last night.
