The Prime Minister, John Howard, has this morning moved closer to realising his long-held ambition to radically reshape Australia's industrial relation system, with the introduction into Parliament of the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Bill 2005.
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.