‘Like the mafia’: whistleblower outlines union tactics
A workplace health and safety whistleblower has told an inquiry the regulator's failure to stand up to a rogue union showed a lack of leadership.
health and safety at work
‘Extremely difficult’: principal speaks after stabbing
A school principal has praised the courage of staff who rushed to his aid after being stabbed, as the teacher who attacked him was handed a jail sentence.
Pianist to tour Australia amid legal row with orchestra
Concert pianist Jayson Gillham will return to Australia for a self-presented tour, as his court case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra continues.
Roving robots may keep the sun shining on solar panels
Originally designed for mining sites, some autonomous robots are being redeployed to solar farms to perform dirty work that is dangerous to humans.
Safety inspectors ‘bullied and abused’ by CFMEU
An inquiry has heard Workpace Health and Safety inspectors were "bullied, and abused" by a state's militant and brazen CFMEU.
Official probe into CFMEU links rejected by premier
A state premier has defended her government's response to CFMEU corruption, saying it cracked down on the union as soon as it became aware of misconduct claims.
Union hired convicted killer as health and safety rep
An inquiry into a union has begun to resemble an episode of a notorious crime drama as it heard details of corruption, violence and intimidation.
Unions demand new health and safety laws after heatwave
A record-breaking heatwave has prompted calls for stronger laws protecting workers to reflect the dangers of a warming climate.
Men fatally crushed at Eagle Farm in ‘safety failure’
An "egregious disregard for safety" led to the deaths of two construction workers crushed by concrete slabs at Eagle Farm Racecourse, a coroner has found.
Paramedics spat on, punched in festive abuse spike
Paramedics are breaking their silence after a festive season riddled with reports of verbal intimidation, sexual and physical assault by members of the public.
Businesses spared rising costs as peace deal struck
Christmas has come early for businesses with a months-long impasse on workers compensation resolved, ensuring insurance premiums do not surge.
Teen rescued after man crushed by collapsing wall
A man has died and another has been seriously injured after a wall collapsed at an inner-city building site, marking the second fatal incident in 24 hours.
More schools close, others reopen amid asbestos scare
Some schools will reopen and others close over the detection of trace amounts of asbestos in a play sand product, while experts say the risk remains very low.
Jail time for threatening staff as retail attacks surge
Years in jail and store bans are among tougher penalties flagged by a state government tackling a troubling surge in attacks and threats on retail shop staff.
Workers threatened with weapons as retail crime spikes
Retail crime is worsening with a drastic number of Bunnings and Kmart workers threatened with violence every month, parent company Wesfarmers says.
Explosive device under review after fatal mine incident
Investigators have revealed the accidental initiation of an explosive device lead to the Cobar mine incident that resulted in the deaths of two workers.
‘Catastrophic’ mine explosion highlights safety issues
The deaths of two people in a mine explosion has rocked a close-knit town, bringing safety concerns to light as unions call for a thorough investigation.
Sculpture worker says he was sacked after safety alarm
A Sculpture by the Sea installer, who needed facial surgery after a workplace accident, claims he was dismissed after complaining about workplace safety.
Titan submersible disaster was preventable: Coast Guard
A US Coast Guard investigation has concluded that the Titan submersible implosion, which killed five people on the way to the Titanic wreck, was "preventable".
‘This is the moment’: teachers strike over wage deal
Thousands of educators have walked off the job, shutting down a city CBD as they marched on parliament, as union officials flag more action.
‘More gruelling, precarious’: climate biting workforce
From disrupted trucking routes to teaching in hot classrooms, the changing climate is already being keenly felt by Australian workers.
Four day week firms as win-win for workers and business
Cutting one day from the working week could reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction, a study has found, but it could also boost productivity.
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.
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.
Rise of NDAs in sexual harassment cases silencing women
Advocates are pushing for reforms to stop the silencing of women in workplace sexual harassment cases and to allow survivors to seek support.
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.
Fiji ‘tarnished’ after alleged assault on flight crew
As a probe continues into the alleged theft and sexual assault of two Virgin Australia crew, a Fijian MP says such incidents damage the nation's reputation.
‘We are safe’: worry after air crew allegedly attacked
Alleged attacks on two Australian flight crews in Fiji has left locals worried about the impact the news would have on tourism for the Pacific nation.
Workers protest CFMEU takeover as court battle starts
Blue-collar unionists are rallying against a forced takeover of the construction union, saying the laws strip them of their rights, as a legal challenge begins.
Pacific envoys gather to tackle visa exploitation risks
Employment Minister Murray Watt is convening a roundtable with Pacific envoys to shore up worker protections in a regional labour mobility scheme.
Young gay and lesbian staff target of sexual misconduct
Most young LGBTQI employees say they have been sexually assaulted or harassed in the workplace and supporters blame a culture that devalues their identity.