Breaking news: The Albanese government has finally bowed to common sense and split the Loophole (IR) Bill into two sections. Today (7 Dec 2023), independent Senators David Pocock and Jacqui Lambie secured a deal to pass some parts of the Loophole Bill. Senator Pocock’s media release states that t … Read Full Article about Loophole Update – Common sense at last – Movement!
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Dancing with Alice at the Mad Hatter’s tea party – Loophole Bill farce
I’m in Parliament (Canberra) and have been studying the Albanese government’s amendments to the Loophole (IR) Bill. ‘Weird’ is the best description. Try this. The amendment relating to ‘employee-like’ workers says: an “…order must not include terms about any of the following matters…” then lists … Read Full Article about Dancing with Alice at the Mad Hatter’s tea party – Loophole Bill farce
Thank goodness for the independents! Loophole Bill is a huge PILL
There’s no doubt that the Senate independents have brought common sense to the Albanese government’s Loophole (industrial relations) Bill. And it’s a great victory for common sense that the firm stand taken by the independents has forced the government to start making amendments to the Bill. Fir … Read Full Article about Thank goodness for the independents! Loophole Bill is a huge PILL
Loophole Bill – State of play
This is to provide you with an update on the state of play with the Albanese government’s Loophole (industrial relations) Bill. Last week we provided you the link to my video evidence (on 10 November) before the Senate Committee looking at the Bill. It’s not quite riveting, Oscar-winning viewing, … Read Full Article about Loophole Bill – State of play
You don’t save something by destroying it!
On Friday last (10 November) I appeared before the Senate Committee looking at the Loophole Bill. Earlier in the day the Transport Workers Union had organised gig workers and others to appear before the Committee to describe how difficult their jobs are. We totally agree that all workers need … Read Full Article about You don’t save something by destroying it!
Historic day for small business people – Real unfair contract protections
Today is historic for small business people and the Australian economy. Today (9 November 2023) is the start of the new ‘beefed up’ unfair contract laws. These new laws have real ‘teeth’: Businesses that ignore or breach the laws can suffer fines of up to $50 million. Loopholes have been c … Read Full Article about Historic day for small business people – Real unfair contract protections
Update from Parliament: Loophole (IR) Bill
Yesterday I was in Parliament House, Canberra, attending a workshop/discussion organised by Senator David Pocock on the Loophole Bill. Here’s a quick update on the progress of the Bill (6 minutes). … Read Full Article about Update from Parliament: Loophole (IR) Bill
Fearing the truth – Australia’s government institutions – ATO
In April 2018 we were intimately involved in the production of the ABC Four Corners program ‘Mongrel Bunch of Bastards’. The program exposed evidence of the ATO’s abuse of small business people. The pr … Read Full Article about Fearing the truth – Australia’s government institutions – ATO
Inside the Truth Police
In late July we alerted you to the planned Misinformation and Disinformation laws. The laws will require social media platforms (Facebook, etc.) to determine what is ‘true’ and to warn people for pos … Read Full Article about Inside the Truth Police
Einstein is dangerously wrong. Silence him with a new law!
When Albert Einstein published his new theories around 1905 he challenged the established ‘truth’ of Newton’s laws of physics. Einstein was attacked by the scientific establishment at the time who were … Read Full Article about Einstein is dangerously wrong. Silence him with a new law!
Robodebt lies and fraud: How corrupt government works
Robodebt was and is a huge a scandal that was eventually investigated by a Royal Commission. We’ve studied the 1000-pages-plus Royal Commission Report—it’s a shocking read—and have written a summary an … Read Full Article about Robodebt lies and fraud: How corrupt government works
How government can harm people – The Robodebt scandal
We’re currently studying the report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme. The report describes a scandal of huge proportions, in which government inflicted enormous damage on i … Read Full Article about How government can harm people – The Robodebt scandal
Should gig workers like Mick Jagger, Beyoncé and Harry Styles be worried?
In late April, we alerted you to the new Australian Taxation Office (ATO) reporting rules for gig workers. We had some queries asking, “what are ‘gig’ workers?” That’s a pretty sensible question. … Read Full Article about Should gig workers like Mick Jagger, Beyoncé and Harry Styles be worried?
Justice and Not Above the Law: Class action to bankrupt Victoria?
It can take a long time for justice and the rule of law to hold people accountable (particularly powerful people), where such accountability is proven to be warranted. We made our attempt in … Read Full Article about Justice and Not Above the Law: Class action to bankrupt Victoria?