Business, union divisions threaten to derail PM summit
The prime minister hopes business groups and unions will unite to address a lagging economy but there are already signs of division before a planned summit.
Labour
Estimated thousands trapped in Australian farm slavery
The fruit, vegetables and meat in Australian's fridges are often picked or processed by migrant workers, who are highly vulnerable to modern slavery.
Unions hail pay boost for millions of low-paid workers
Workers on minimum award rates will be given one of the highest above-inflation pay increases in history to help redress falling living standards.
Supermarket giant acts on ‘appalling’ worker conditions
Migrant workers fear deportation if they speak up about their poor workplace, with Woolworths uncovering 'unliveable' housing conditions in its supply chain.
AI in sights to build up nation’s sliding productivity
It takes an Australian worker twice as long to build a home as it did 50 years ago, making it all the more urgent to fix declining productivity growth.
Money still on rate cut despite surprise spike in wages
Workers have enjoyed their sixth consecutive quarter of pay packet growth as all eyes turn to the Reserve Bank's upcoming decision on interest rates.
Dance industry stepping into new era of safety for kids
Child safety has long been a major issue for the dance industry but an innovative program could help studios keep kids safe and comply with tougher laws.
Call for workplace change to drive electric car take-up
Fewer than one-in-three electric vehicle drivers can access a charger at work and incentives could get more people to go electric and drive to the office.
Multibillion-dollar benefit of reproductive leave
Giving workers one day of leave a month to care for reproductive needs would help reduce the $21.3 billion cost of absent employees, a report has found.
Vow insulation discounts won’t repeat tradie tragedies
A state government has dismissed concerns that discounted home insulation could lead to a repeat of a disastrous program that cost four workers their lives.
Doctor covering 150 patients pleads for fair treatment
Henry Crayton worked 135 hours in the past fortnight with just one day off, covering 150 patients per shift - and he's not alone in wanting better treatment.
Scalpels down as doctors plan rare strike over pay rise
Doctors in dozens of hospitals are set to walk off the job for the first time in more than 25 years, causing another headache for patients and officials.
Women warned as coalition pushes work-from-home ban
Women will be most affected by an opposition proposal to force public servants back to the office full time, a government frontbencher says.
Butchers, bakers and makers better off in the bush
Nearly 100 jobs pay better in country Australia, with 67,000 roles available outside the cities, according to new research encouraging workers to make the move.
Bosses urged to stay flexible as gender pay gap narrows
The gender pay gap is steadily closing amid warnings revoking work from home flexibility will impact women's ability to earn more.
Senators warned don’t ‘badger or harass’ witnesses
A complaint has been made about how a government official has been treated at a Senate estimates hearing after a fiery session.
No more train delays as union action ordered to stop
A stoush that has crippled rail services for months has temporarily ended as passengers look forward to getting back on track with trains on time.
Sneak strike ‘gaslights’ commuters on Valentine’s Day
Authorities are blaming a "sneak strike" for the cancellation or delay of more than 1200 train services amid union claims workers were locked out.
Premier stands by police minister after top cop fiasco
Premier Jacinta Allan has backed her police minister after the top cop was forced out after a loss of confidence from the force he led for nearly five years.
‘Preferred’ koala park opens door to major logging
A state's so-called koala wars appear no closer to being resolved as spatial mapping highlights the possible impact on native forest of a national park plan.
Australia rejects ‘killing’ the US aluminium market
Australia has denied exploiting tariff exemptions granted by the first Trump administration despite claims aluminium sales have been "killing" the US market.
Union demands rejected as airport workers strike
A global service provider rejects union pay demands citing economic concerns as over 1000 airport ground workers strike across major Australian airports.
Wards shut as fears mount for mass psychiatrist walkout
Psychiatrists have begun to walk away from their jobs in the public system over an intensifying wage dispute which threatens to cause significant bed closures.
More travel turmoil with negotiations off the rails
An industrial stoush threatens to cripple the nation's busiest rail network as passengers were left stranded and trains came to an extended halt at platforms.
Strong jobs growth data deflates February rate cut hope
A very healthy jobs market is not adding to the case for a February interest rate cut, with all eyes turning to inflation data due in coming weeks.
More commuter pain spared as union actions suspended
An industrial umpire has put a temporary halt to work bans that have brought havoc to NSW's train network as drivers push for a hefty pay rise.
Fresh pay offer tabled as trains get back on track
Rail unions that caused major disruptions to the nation's busiest network have made a fresh offer after having to halt work bans.
Aussies beating America and Europe in AI race: study
Almost half of all Australians are using artificial intelligence technology, a Google study has shown, even though many still have concerns about its impact.
Govt throwing mental health patients ‘under the bus’
Mental health patients in Australia's most populous state are being neglected by their government which is failing to retain psychiatrists, a union says.
Twelve days’ reproductive health leave could save $26b
A new report reveals the staggering impact of reproductive health problems on productivity, feeding calls for extra leave entitlements.
Man charged with sexual assault of crew member in Fiji
A man has reportedly been charged with rape and sexual assault after an airline crew member was allegedly attacked on New Year's Eve in Fiji.