The CFMEU's CG&E division has confirmed that its national and Queensland president, David Hanna, has left the union but has declined to explain his departure.
The Federal Court has ordered former HSU national secretary Kathy Jackson to repay about $1.4 million to her old union, in an important judgment on the conduct of officers in registered organisations.
Under arrangements agreed to today between lawyers acting for the ACTU and counsel assisting the inquiry, unions will have until 2pm this Thursday to file written submissions, if they want to continue with the application to have Commissioner Heydon disqualified from presiding over the Royal Commission.
The ACTU is today seeking documents relating to the controversial invitation for Royal Commissioner Dyson Heydon to speak at a Liberal Party fundraising event, to see if there is sufficient evidence of bias to launch a case calling for his dismissal.
The Australian Law Reform Commission in its "freedoms" interim report has suggested that it might be "desirable" for the inquiry to closely examine whether the IR regime unjustifiably encroaches on freedom of association.
A former general manager of the CFMEU's NSW branch objected in 2005 to a proposed $100,000 "donation" from the builder Thiess Hochtief, the Heydon Royal Commission heard today.
The Productivity Commission has called for the FWC in its four-yearly review of awards to align Sunday penalty rates in hospitality, entertainment, restaurants and cafes with those payable on Saturdays.
The Productivity Commission in its draft IR inquiry report, released this morning, has recommended the 100% Sunday penalty rates for cafes, hospitality, entertainment, restaurants and retailing be aligned with Saturday rates.