“There is real anxiety from small business”: David Pocock explains his industrial relations deal-making strategy
As business groups bemoan the contentious Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill, independent Senator David Pocock says the amendments he secured will shield small businesses from the most significant industrial relations reforms contained in the legislation.
IR reform: Burke open to changing small business coverage after Senate inquiry calls for 20 employee cut-off
Lawmakers should pass the federal government's highly contested industrial relations reform package if small businesses with fewer than 20 employees are excluded from the single-interest agreement overhaul, a Senate inquiry has found.
“Drag them against their will”: Chambers of commerce launch last-ditch ad campaign to postpone IR bill
Australian business lobbyists have launched a last-ditch attempt to convince lawmakers to split, postpone, or abandon Labor's contentious industrial relations bill.
Qantas says multi-employer bargaining could jeopardise flight routes as unions condemn employment “loopholes”
Labor's omnibus industrial relations reform could impose devastating costs on Australian airlines and put the "viability of some services into question", Qantas says.
Labor agrees to multi-employer bargaining concessions as it pushes to pass legislation before Christmas
The federal government is optimistic that amendments to its industrial relations reform package, including tweaks to its multi-employer bargaining plans, could secure its support in the Senate.
“Serious concerns”: Senate crossbenchers David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie say they won’t rubber-stamp Labor’s industrial relations reform bill
Labor hopes to pass its industrial relations bill by December 1, but key Senate crossbenchers say they need more time to assess the reforms.
One Nation says its proposed ‘equal pay for equal work’ bill wouldn’t put a “burden” on small businesses
The new Labor government may have an unlikely ally in One Nation as it pushes for legislation enshrining equal pay between full-time staff and casual labour hire workers.
Tax commissioner faces inquiry about ‘disobeying’ Senate over JobKeeper disclosures
Australia’s tax commissioner Chris Jordan is facing an inquiry into whether he disobeyed the Senate after not following through on an order to provide details about businesses receiving JobKeeper.
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.
Will naming and shaming work? Small business sceptical as Payment Times Reporting Framework scrutinised in Senate
Small business advocates are sceptical the Payment Times Reporting Framework will actually do what it says on the tin and improve payment times.
R&D tax changes will be implemented retrospectively, inquiry hears, forcing businesses to revise claims later
R&D tax claims filed for the 2019-20 financial year will need to be revised if/when cuts to the program pass parliament, the ATO has confirmed.
Childcare fees to ruin small business re-opening plans ahead of September JobKeeper cliff, Kate Carnell warns
Childcare fees being reimposed will place a burden on business owners at a crucial time, small business ombudsman Kate Carnell has warned.
