THE NEWS WRAP: Small businesses could be hit by a tax on their cars

Some employees could lose minimum conditions under the government’s new industrial relations plans, according to the workplace minister Chris Evans.

Evans has written to Fair Work Australia president Geoffrey Giudice to point out that the new system could negatively impact junior staff and trainees who did not yet have a minimum wage. Employers have complained that the new award system is too complex and could lead them to inadvertently underpaying staff. 

Car tax plan mooted

Small businesses could be hit by a tax on their cars under proposals put forward by the nation’s infrastructure companies.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia has called for a debate on charging motorists in order to alleviate congestion.

Overnight

After a brief lull, the Australian dollar is back within touching distance of parity with its US counterpart.

Overnight, the dollar hit a new 27-year high against the greenback, up to US99.4 cents. The Commonwealth Bank has predicted that the two currencies will be level pegging by the end of the week.