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PM John Howard has today mounted a spirited defence of his Government's plans to establish a unitary IR system, after critics, mostly from his own side, have labelled him as too centralist, while the NSW Opposition has announced it will refer most of its IR powers to Canberra if elected in 2007.

In a series of announcements, Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews today said that the Government was dropping all pre-Work Choices s127 prosecutions; revealed a new team of DEWR specialists would investigate future breaches of the Act; confirmed he was considering changing onerous record-keeping obligations on employers; and announced the successful tenderers for the Work Choices Employer Advisor Program.

In a move employers argue can only affect the businesses that can least afford it, the Western Australian Government has introduced legislation aimed at bolstering the state's minimum employment conditions and giving federally-covered WA workers a good faith bargaining entitlement.

Qantas group executives denied labour costs were a major factor in their decision announced today to axe Australian Airlines and launch new international routes for their low-cost Jetstar subsidiary.

Law firm Whyburns Legal merged with Maurice Blackburn Cashman in November 2004, not with Slater & Gordon last year, as reported by Workplace Express on Friday (in News in brief).

Victorian unions say State's lowest paid fall through gap in Work Choices coverage; Centrelink to provide salary-packaged child care via dedicated provider; NSW IRC allows Canberra to intervene in State Wage Case, seeks more details before setting limits; AIRC releases further guidance on dispute resolution clauses; and Work Choices gives green light for cuts in take home pay, says ACTU.

TNT Express workers ended a wildcat stoppage on Friday evening, after the AIRC issued its first orders under s496 to stop industrial action under the Work Choices regime.

In a ruling likely to prompt many employers to review their sex discrimination policies, a tribunal has found that a club manager sexually harassed a female employee when he called her "babe" and "honey".

AIRC President Justice Geoffrey Giudice has defended his comments that the Fair Pay Commission could slow the growth of minimum wage increases, creating pressure to reduce social welfare benefits.

Almost three out of five opposed to Work Choices, Morgan poll finds; Still no s496 order after unions give undertaking against industrial action; Unions rally in Queensland; Employees with caring responsibilities want more access to paid leave and flexible work, finds ABS; PM says AIRC engaging in knee-jerk criticism of Work Choices, confident on High Court challenge; HREOC begins inquiry into same-sex bias at work; Beazley to speak on IR on Tuesday; and Maurice May merges with Slater & Gordon.