Criminal penalties slip through among workplace reform
Under new laws, bosses could be penalised for making unreasonable contact with staff after hours but the prime minister promises to iron out the issues.
Labour
Big opportunities for seed to grow bush food industry
A tiny Australian seed could provide big opportunities for indigenous communities according to new research.
Stronger work rights secure as businesses warn of costs
Gig workers, casual staff and employees bugged after hours by their bosses are the winners of laws that have passed the Senate to the displeasure of businesses.
Doctor jailed for forcing refugee to work at candy shop
A doctor will spend at least 18 months behind bars for threatening to deport an asylum seeker if he did not work long hours while underpaid at his candy shop.
Jobless rate steady at 3.9 per cent
Australia's jobless rate has plateaued at 3.9 per cent after both employment and unemployment fell in December, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.
Minister rules out intervening in DP World port dispute
The federal workplace minister has called for unions and stevedore DP World to come to the table to resolve a bitter industrial dispute.
Aussies will still get their tax cuts: Anthony Albanese
Aussies earning high incomes will still get their tax cuts amid a cost of living crisis, as the government considers how to provide further relief for people.
PM confirms contentious stage three tax cuts to stay
Aussies earning high incomes will still get their tax cuts amid a cost-of-living crisis, as the government considers how to provide further relief for people.
Albanese urges ‘good faith’ talks to end port dispute
A dispute between workers and Australia's second largest port operator is costing the economy millions of dollars as Anthony Albanese urges "good faith" talks.
Lift-off for wharfies to strike as pay row hopes sink
Dock workers have permission to strike at some of Australia's busiest terminals in what could trigger major disruptions to the country's supply chains.
Hundreds of jobs axed as Alcoa winds up old refinery
US alumina giant Alcoa says it will shut down a 60-year-old refinery south of Perth, where hundreds of workers are expected to lose their jobs.
Australians with disability to gain extra job support
A plan to provide support and more sustainable job opportunities for Australians with disabilities and high support needs will be released by the government.
Crunch time in paramedic pay stoush as collapse looms
A pay dispute between paramedics and the NSW government has faced an industrial tribunal in the hope of resolving the crisis before the end of the year.
University workers lose $159m in stolen wages
More than 97,000 employees in the university sector have been underpaid to the tune of $159 million, new analysis shows.
Blackmores unit allegedly fired health whistleblower
An employee of a Blackmores subsidiary has claimed the firm terminated him instead of dealing with health concerns raised about two of its vitamin products.
Ambo pay dispute could cripple New Year services
A pay dispute between paramedics' unions and the NSW government threatens to cripple ambulance services on their busiest night of the year.
Job placement services driven by dole bludger myth
Australian employment services are fragmented and have failed, with a parliamentary review calling for a complete overhaul of the system.
National engineered stone ban closer with WA backing
Western Australia has joined other states in expressing support for a national ban on the future use of deadly disease-causing engineered stone.
Businesses slam workplace changes as bill clears House
Industry groups say the government's rushed workplace reforms risk damaging the economy, as a heavily amended bill passes the lower house.
Queensland government train contract set to deliver 800 jobs
The Queensland government has announced a $4.6 billion contract with transport construction company Downer as the primary manufacturer
‘Not respectful’: police officers to strike over pay
Victorian police and protective service officers will take industrial action over protracted pay negotiations, including slowing drivers near speed cameras.
Indigenous leader and Labor luminary Pat Dodson retires
Labor senator Pat Dodson is quitting politics after being diagnosed with cancer, with his resignation to take effect on January 26.
Cultural stigma holds workplaces back as pay gap falls
An increase in the number of women in leadership roles has helped reduce the gender pay gap but cultural change is needed to eliminate it entirely, data shows.
air transport
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crime, law and justice
economy, business and finance
health and safety at work
unions
Qantas guilty over treatment of virus-concerned worker
A court has found Qantas guilty of breaching NSW workplace health and safety laws after it stood down a worker who raised concerns about COVID-19.
Jobs market ‘defies gravity’ but weakening on horizon
The unemployment rate moved higher last month but is still well below historical norms, with more jobs added to the economy than expected.
Stressed police, paramedics could get better protection
First responders including police and paramedics could soon receive easier access to compensation after major workplace changes cleared a key hurdle.
Higher labour hire pay threatens viability: Qantas, BHP
Unions and major companies are going head to head over proposed labour hire laws, with the latter arguing higher pay rates will threaten business viability.
Lobbying regime to be beefed up after corruption probe
The Victorian government has committed to updating lobbying rules and codes of conduct in response to a $1.2 million contract scandal.
Mining giant says workplace reform threatens diversity
The federal government has been accused of putting workplace diversity at risk through its labour loophole laws, but unions beg to differ.
New workplace laws are ‘life and death legislation’
Businesses across Australia have spent millions of dollars on a campaign against workplace reforms that unions say stop gig economy worker deaths.
Labor’s jobs plan not at odds with RBA, says treasurer
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says his ambition for full employment is not in conflict with the RBA's endeavours to reduce inflation.