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The day after Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews confirmed he was in favour of a Senate inquiry into his second-wave laws, a Coalition member has told a meeting of the joint parties in Canberra that it was not a good idea.

Last week it was the construction industry, this week the Federal Government will take advantage of its new majority in both Houses of Parliament to reintroduce its legislation targeting the manufacturing sector - the Better Bargaining bill.

The AIRC has today declared the contract call centre industry award to apply by common rule across Victoria to both employers and labour suppliers.

The National Party's West Australian branch has urged the Federal Government to take a cautious approach to its second wave IR changes, particularly its planned exemptions from unfair dismissal laws.

PM John Howard has defended the proposed new 100-employee threshold for unfair dismissal claims, saying the Coalition never identified a particular number during last year's election campaign, while the ACTU has today launched a booklet that highlights the unfair dismissal experiences of employees working in companies with fewer than 100 workers.

An insurance brokerage has been ordered to pay more than $10,000 to a former employee it discriminated against by demoting then sacking him due to the disabilities of Attention Deficit Disorder and depression.

WA Premier Geoff Gallop has condemned the use of the "blue flu" as an industrial tactic by the WA CFMEU (construction division).

Reserve Bank governor Ian Macfarlane today said wages had been "remarkably well behaved" - and only modest increases were expected ahead.

Pacific National unions have brought the company's operations almost to a standstill, after starting a 24-hour strike this morning over stalled bargaining negotiations.

Cole Bill passes Lower House, redundancy bill on next week; Andrews conflict between public and policy positions on long service, tells OEA to be careful; Queensland introduces minimum conditions legislation; HEWRR legislation referred to Senate Committee; Rally for sacked AWA worker; and Howard defends Boeing's refusal to negotiate collective agreement.