The Andrews Labor Government has brought in Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner to help broker a peace deal in the standoff between paid and volunteer firefighters, which has spilled over into the federal election campaign.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has today criticised CFMEU construction and general division Victorian branch leader John Setka for reportedly comparing the Coalition's "attack" on the union and its members to that of Hitler's Germany, after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called on the Labor leader to "publicly disown" the union secretary.
A Turnbull Coalition Government, if returned at the July 2 election, will amend the Fair Work Act to make franchisors and parent entities responsible for their franchisees' and subsidiaries' exploitation of vulnerable workers, while increasing penalties tenfold for employers that underpay such workers and fail to keep proper records.
The Turnbull Government granted FWBC director Nigel Hadgkiss new powers soon before calling the federal election, in a bid to stop builders and contractors agreeing to "union-friendly" clauses in enterprise agreements.
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has appointed Lyndall Dean, a lawyer with an employer background, as a deputy president of the Fair Work Commission.
Department of Defence civilian employees have again rejected a proposed enterprise agreement, with almost 55% voting down an offer that included a 6% pay rise over three years.
A Turnbull Government review is calling for legislative change to overhaul "ineffective" recruitment practices and boost gender equality in the Australian Public Service, but the CPSU has criticised it for missing an opportunity to drive positive change.
Law firm Maurice Blackburn is calling for tougher laws to force franchises to take responsibility for their franchisees' employment practices, as it pursues three underpayment claims totalling $1 million via the Fels 7-Eleven Wage Fairness Panel, which has now secured payouts of $11 million.
The Fair Work Commission has suspended protected industrial action by CPSU members at international airports for 90 days, after finding that plans to escalate strikes posed a "serious and compelling" risk.
The Turnbull Government will take its response to the Productivity Commission inquiry into overhauling the IR system to the federal election on July 2.
