John Durie: COSBOA chief says IR reforms could represent a barrier to new jobs
The political breakthrough over the government’s industrial relations reform has left small business very concerned about the consequences, according to COSBOA chief Alexi Boyd.
John Durie: COSBOA IR reform debate intervention too little too late
COSBOA has made a late entry into the industrial relations reform debate, calling for more time and expressing concern at the bill’s increased complexity and multi-employer bargaining.
John Durie: It’s time for a small business-specific IR award
Why doesn’t the federal government revive an old plan to establish a small business industrial relations award?
Peter Strong: Albanese government neglects small business with ‘UnionChoices’ legislation
When it comes to small business we are hearing lots of good rhetoric but seeing the opposite in action, says Peter Strong.
What the Albanese government can do to end wage ‘theft’
"The complexity of the awards that outline minimum pay rates and conditions of employment result in many employers unknowingly underpaying their workers," writes Pitcher Partners' Sudha Viswanathan.
Election 2022: What is the ‘better off overall test’, and what are the major parties promising?
The Coalition and Labor have been arguing over the “better off overall test”, known as the BOOT. What is it, why are they arguing, and who is right?
Industry groups hit back at COSBOA’s claims they do not represent small business
Small business associations and employer groups continue to argue over the failed outcome of the industrial relations omnibus bill, which passed the Senate last month.
Government scraps Better Off Overall Test change from Fair Work reforms, and Labor stands firm on opposing whole bill
The government has caved to crossbench pressure to drop its plan to enable the suspension of the Better Off Overall Test for COVID-affected businesses.
A closer look at what the government is doing to “confront the mess that is workplace relations”: Peter Strong
When it comes to workplace relations reform, "the mistake would be to try and fix all the issues in one go", says COSBOA chief Peter Strong.
Explainer: What is the definition of casual work and how will the IR reforms change it?
The federal government is today unveiling its industrial relations omnibus bill in parliament which includes, for the first time, a statutory definition of casual employment in the Fair Work Act.
SMEs face 50% higher wage theft penalties under IR reform bill
Small businesses that underpay workers could be hit with 50% higher civil penalties, under the federal government’s industrial relations reform bill.
IR reform will be on the table by Christmas, Peter Strong says, but “the changes might come too late”
Christian Porter promised an IR reform package within weeks of the federal budget, but COSBOA's Peter Strong says that was always optimistic.
