The Coalition government intends to use a new Fair Work regulation to shield employers from "double dipping" where long-term casual employees are deemed to be eligible for leave entitlements.
Just months after employers called on the Coalition to consider installing seven new FWC members, pointedly highlighting the number of ALP appointees, the Morrison Government has announced five new deputy presidents and a commissioner, many with strong links to the business sector.
The Fair Work Act should be changed to prohibit full-time, direct employees being replaced by "permanent casuals", according to a Coalition-dominated Federal parliamentary inquiry chaired by former Nationals' leader and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce.
The Fair Work Commission's review of default superannuation products in modern awards should be reinstated after a four-year hiatus, the umbrella group for industry super funds has told the Hayne Royal Commission.
The Jobs Department has told a Senate Estimates hearing that it met with labour hire company Workpac following the full Federal Court's crucial casual leave decision in Skene, but that it hasn't drafted a Bill to address the ruling.
IR Minister Kelly O'Dwyer is intervening in Workpac's bid to block a casual from winning leave entitlements or to "off-set" his claims with loading and flat rates already paid, while the CFMMEU says it will also seek to intervene to protect principles established in Skene.
The Morrison Government has introduced legislation to crack down on "sharp corporate practices" such as phoenix companies and asset-shifting by employers that are seeking to avoid paying employee entitlements.
A key independent senator says he will not support the Morrison Government's legislation to make it easier to deregister unions, introduce a public interest test for mergers and ban law-breaking officials, instead calling for a strong response to the finance scandals exposed at the Hayne Royal Commission.
IR Minister Kelly O'Dwyer will investigate employer concerns that a Federal Court decision opens the way for casual employees to make back-pay claims for billions of dollars of annual leave.
