Downsized Closing Loopholes Bill passes in Parliament after surprise Labor-crossbench deal
The Albanese government's controversial industrial relations reform bill will be split in two, after a surprise agreement between Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke and Independent Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie on the final parliamentary sitting day of the year.
Powerbroker David Pocock’s verdict after test-driving an electric Toyota Hilux
Independent powerbroker David Pocock, along with several other MPs from all walks of Parliament, has test-driven a Toyota Hilux ute that was converted into an electric vehicle by a savvy automotive startup launched by two former Atlassian executives.
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?
Construction sector pared from Labor’s industrial relations reform bill as business opposition heats up
Building and construction companies will be excluded from Labor's multi-employer bargaining reforms according to a suite of amendments the federal government has tacked onto its IR reform bill.
Labor working on crossbencher Pocock to pass industrial relations reform, but splitting the bill is not yet an option
Labor has hinted at further amendments to its massive industrial relations reform bill, but lingering Senate concerns over multi-employer bargaining remain a barrier between the federal government and its hopes of passing the omnibus in full by Christmas.
Labor tables IR reform bill, pushing for multi-employer bargaining changes to boost worker wages
The federal government has introduced the first batch of its long-heralded industrial relations reforms into Parliament.
Peter Strong: Discussion on collective bargaining is great, but small business needs protection against union intimidation
There must be better protection of business people and their employees from unions if any discussion around multi-employer agreements is to be entertained.
Mark McKenzie: ‘Multi-employer’ not ‘industry-wide’ bargaining needed for workplace relations reform
The suggestion that we return to an IR system that risks increasing the numbers of productive days lost due to strike action to address the flaws of the existing bargaining system is illogical, writes former COSBOA chair Mark McKenzie.
Peter Strong urges Senate crossbenchers to support IR reform and not let “politics get in the way”
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia is urging the Senate crossbench to support the government's reforms next week.
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.
