Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke says there’s no evidence of wages being a driver of recent high inflation.
The federal government will push for the minimum wage to increase to match high living costs,setting up a clash with businesses.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said Labor’s values had not changed since its previous submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review,which cautioned against wages going backwards.
The May budget will contain funding for cultural institutions as Arts Minister Tony Burke said the previous government had deliberately let run them down.
Tony Burke confirmed government lawyers would intervene in a legal stoush to back the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association.
How much for a human life? It’s an uncomfortable question state and federal ministers have been forced to finally address.
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke and state ministers have given Safe Work Australia up to half a year to report on what a ban on engineered stone would look like.
Even if a ban is agreed to at Tuesday’s meeting,the process would take at least a year,as each state and territory parliament would have to pass their own laws.
The workplace relations minister will recommend all governments weigh up a ban on the product,while the Commonwealth explores blocking importation of it.
Union chiefs are warning of strikes unless pay offers to combat the record drop in real wages are put on the table.
One of the world’s biggest engineered stone manufacturers and a coalition of health groups have called for action from federal and state governments.