A prominent left-leaning think tank has come to blows with an oil and gas industry group, over warnings of a domestic gas shortfall in Western Australia over the years ahead.
The federal government has tabled more than 80 amendments to a contentious workplace relations Bill with some changes catching business groups by surprise.
Major employer groups are divided over contentious workplace relations reforms after federal minister Tony Burke negotiated amendments to exclude service contractors.
The Liberal Party WA's marginal seat contingent played a big role in the shock May federal election victory, while local ministers, most notably Christian Porter, are key to the government's agenda.
Unions have been put on notice with the revival of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, as the building sector celebrates the what it says is the return of law to the industry.
Local innovators and resources industry professionals, including Karara Mining, Barminco and Fortescue Metals Group, were recognised at two separate awards ceremonies held this week.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promoted little-known Queensland Nationals Senator Matt Canavan to a cabinet position as resources minister, with Josh Frydenberg moving from that role to the portfolios of energy and environment.
The head of Shell's Perth-based communications and government relations team has been named the next chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A scaling back of penalty rates for hospitality and retail workers on Sundays was among the major recommendations in the Productivity Commission's draft workplace relations framework released today.
Industry groups are at the vanguard of a renewed push for workplace reform following Productivity Commission issues papers released as part of a broad review of the labour market.
The federal government's Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption has recommended criminal charges against a number of officials from the CFMEU and Health Services Union, while the government has also released terms of reference for a review of the country's workplace relations framework.
The Maritime Union of Australia has started its five-day strike at Mermaid Marine Australia's Dampier Supply Base today, a decision the Australian Mines and Metals Association has labelled “irresponsible and misguided”.
Labor leader Bill Shorten has named his opposition ministry, with WA MPs Gary Gray and Melissa Parke awarded the resources and assistant health portfolios respectively.
Industry groups have welcomed the federal government's appointment of the former commissioner and deputy commissioner of the Australian Building and Construction Commission to lead the soon to be revived building industry watchdog.
Industry groups have expressed their disappointment in a decision handed down by Fair Work Australia today, saying it paves the way for minority groups to create "carnage" in the workplace and creates more risks.
