The militant construction workers' union could be placed under administration at all branches – including those in Western Australia – as early as this weekend after the government reached an agreement with the coalition to pass appropriate legislation. The CFMEU Construction Division has promised to emerge stronger from this process.
The latest employment figures exceeded expectations, with tens of thousands of new jobs created in the Australian economy.
Labor and the Liberals have resisted a complete ban on gambling advertising, despite promises to stem the flood of betting material aimed at Australians. Independent Senator David Pocock forced a vote on the issue, calling on the government to implement the recommendations of a landmark inquiry led by the late Labour MP Peta Murphy.
The political divide on the housing issue remains, with the Greens calling on the new minister to reconsider the government's policies, which include a rent freeze and increased funding for public housing. Green Party housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said he was “deeply disappointed” by the new housing minister's response to his call to return to … Read more
A Labour MP has sharply criticised the Catholic Church's handling of child sexual abuse, pointing out that dozens of suspected perpetrators have been reported to police in the Archdiocese of Perth over the past five years.
Labor has hit out at the Liberals over their initiative against the CFMEU, saying the opposition must either accept or keep quiet about so far unsubstantiated allegations of criminality in the WA branch of the embattled union.