Small business groups “disappointed” as Labor blocks debate on specific IR reforms
The Albanese government has swatted away the Coalition's bid to debate four widely-supported industrial relations reforms in the House of Representatives.
Lower House battle looms as split IR reform bill pushed through Senate
Independent Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock have successfully pushed four industrial relations reforms through the Senate, setting up a Lower House battle against a federal government still hoping to contain its contentious IR reforms in one giant bill.
“Nothing in here to celebrate”: COSBOA hits back at casual concessions in IR bill
The Albanese government's recent concessions on industrial relations reform are nothing to cheer about, the Australian small business lobby says, arguing the proposed legislation will still level unwieldy and complex rules on SMEs.
COSBOA, Tony Burke face off in campaign to split contentious IR reforms
COSBOA is locked in a staredown with Employment Minister Tony Burke, as the federal government refuses to split off elements of its highly contentious Closing the Loopholes industrial relations reform package.
Labor under pressure to pass workplace reforms covering PTSD for first responders, domestic violence and regulation of silica dust
Labor will face pressure to push through parts of its own workplace law reform package with the crossbench and coalition teaming up to force the government's hand.
Pocock, Lambie push to split “straightforward” measures covering small business from Labor’s IR reforms package
Senate crossbenchers David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie are attempting to split the government's industrial relations reform package, arguing uncontroversial changes affecting small businesses should not be lumped in with measures likely to be debated well into the new year.
Christmas closure countdown: Important rule changes for annual leave and shutdowns
With Christmas less than 90 days away, employers should be turning their minds to planning and confirming their Christmas/New Year shutdown arrangements.
Qantas sacking of 1,700 ground staff deemed unlawful in High Court decision
Qantas acted unlawfully when it outsourced 1,700 ground staff during COVID-19 lockdowns because it effectively prevented affected workers from taking industrial action, the High Court has ruled, in a decision which upholds two prior court decisions against the airline.
IR reforms covering small business won’t come into law until 2024 as Senate pushes back
Small businesses have been given some breathing room before the next tranche of industrial relations reforms become law, after the Senate voted push a report on the Albanese government's 'Closing Loopholes' bill into 2024.
Opinion: Why COSBOA rejects the government’s complex IR changes
COSBOA CEO Luke Achterstraat and chair Matthew Addison explain why the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has rejected the federal government's proposed industrial relations reforms.
COSBOA fears ’employee-like’ rules could come for all contractors, despite Burke’s assurances
Small business representatives have issued a broad-scale rejection of the federal government's latest industrial relations reform package, despite Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations assuring entrepreneurs proposed changes to "employee-like" work will not encroach on "genuine small business".
Annual wage theft toll hits $850 million as criminalisation bill looms
Wage theft is costing Australian workers $850 million a year, according to a damning new report from the McKell Institute.
