Labor and the unions are broadening the political fight against Malcolm Turnbull over penalty rates by claiming nurses are at risk of future pay cuts. Employment Minister Michaelia Cash yesterday blasted the claim as a “Labor lie” aimed at furthering Bill Shorten’s political agenda to instil “fear into the Australian community”. Senator Cash has pointed to the Fair Work Commission’s assurance that its decision to reduce Sunday loadings for hospitality and retail workers provided “no warrant for the variation of penalty rates in other modern awards”. “Bill Shorten will stand condemned for his lies, hypocrisy and for preying on the fears of working Australians,” she said. Armed with legal advice from Maurice Blackburn, ACTU president Ged Kearney yesterday went on the attack over the FWC decision by warning that “nurses, teachers, cleaners, community, social, disability and construction workers” were all at risk from future penalty rate cuts.
March 15, 2017
Ramsay Health Care’s chief executive Chris Rex has joined the stampede for the exit. “I’ve got millions of things I would like to do before I die and I want to get cracking on them,” he said in January, and clearly one of those things is spending millions. Ramsay advised the ASX just after 5pm on Friday that Rex had dumped a whopping $27.2 million worth of ordinary shares (400,000 at $68.10) for “the orderly diversification of his personal investment portfolio” and to satisfy a tax liability. That old chestnut!
March 15, 2017
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and Mercy Hospital for Women (Heidelberg Campus) are having a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute in relation to flexible working arrangements) chat.
March 15, 2017
An application by United Voice and the Health Services Union will be heard by Deputy President Booth in the Fair Work Commission in Sydney at 10am.
March 15, 2017
An application for approval of the Bowen Old People’s Homes Society Enterprise Agreement 2016 (s.185 – Application for approval of a single-enterprise agreement) is on the agenda of Commissioner Cirkovic in his Melbourne chambers.
March 15, 2017
NSW police have been asked to investigate a man who allegedly stole a doctor’s identity and managed to remain employed for more than a decade at four of the state’s hospitals. Shyam Acharya has already been charged by the Australia Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority but NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says the maximum $30,000 penalty is woefully inadequate. He has asked Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione to pursue the case after previously leaving it to federal authorities and the state’s top cop has agreed.
March 15, 2017
The National Union of Workers and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries (Australia) P/L – Tasmania have a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Deputy President Wells in the Fair Work Commission Edward Braddon Commonwealth Law Courts Building 39 – 41 Davey Street Hobart at noon.
March 15, 2017
Empowered Living Support Services Ltd is defending a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) before Commissioner Johns in the Fair Work Commission Terrace Tower 80 William Street East Sydney at 2pm (Davey).
