Andrews says he'll go national "incrementally" even if states don't refer IR powers; Family minister says family impact statements to consider effects of IR change on family unit's functioning and responsibilities; Western Europe proving that US labour market not the only model, says ILO; AIRC issues Macquarie University matters pertaining reasons; Definition of small business in exemption legislation has grown from 10 to 20 employees, says Parliamentary report; EEO honour list doubles in four years; Netball Australia responds to players' claims; and Clarification - Trindall decision.
Fairness would achieved by the tax and welfare systems, rather than the IR system, while awards would be stripped back to six allowable matters and minimum wages would be fixed by the Government, under a radical BCA proposal released today.
The ACCC has begun Federal Court proceedings against both the Victorian branch of the ETU and a Latrobe Valley power station operator for allegedly entering into an agreement to prevent subcontractors without union agreements from being engaged on the site.
The AIRC has ruled that it has no power to allow parties to agreements to withdraw their certification applications, and has instead rejected a deal because it falls foul of Electrolux.
Federal Treasurer Peter Costello has outlined his vision for a brave new IR world, with more individual contracts, stripped back awards, “ease of exit” from jobs and productivity-linked wage increases some of the key components.
The executive of Victorian Trades Hall Council resolved today to pursue a four-pronged strategy to deal with the barrage of IR legislation expected out of Canberra this year – and to also call on the State Government to take back the IR power it handed the Commonwealth in 2003 if awards are stripped right back.
In the same way that special measures were made available to women seeking to enter the paid workforce, governments could consider ways of helping men enter the unpaid workforce, according to Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Pru Goward.
A full bench of the AIRC has granted the LHMU leave to intervene in an application to certify a non-union agreement, holding that it didn’t matter that the union hadn’t sought a meeting with the employer before the deal was voted up.
