Comments on: Government investigates workplace abusers in government Workplace Relations ads

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:32:57 +0000

But, yes, in many instances it doesn’t spell out well enough what will be different and what the implications will be.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:32:00 +0000

Point taken, mark, but I guess I get a bit frustrated with the line that the ALP’s IR policy is “unclear” as it derives from Coalition spin, basically.

By: mark (not b)

mark (not b) — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:28:02 +0000

Thanks TimT and Mark for steering me
Mark- “I don’t know what’s unclear”…..no criticism, but a link on a blog for someone seeking information is not really clarity.
It’s a bit like “seek and ye shall find”, which is not what I would call clear and unequivocal, generally available information.
The PDF, as linked, provides a lot of spin and rhetoric, and some information – assuming one has the time and intellect to be interpretive. But for the average punter there aren’t enough specific “we will” and “we will not” statements in order to get a clear idea.
Again Mark B, I look forward to a link to your paper for information, which I assume will be spin-free (that’s not sarcastic!).

By: Pollytickedoff

Pollytickedoff — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:45:41 +0000

“I’m still able to pay you but I’m entitled to only pay you 50 per cent of what you’re owed.”

Also notice he doesn’t mention he is supposed to pay the rest to the ATO and provide his subcontractor with a PAYGW Statement. Bet he didn’t do either of those things either.

By: Frank Calabrese

Frank Calabrese — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 09:11:06 +0000

Business Lobby Anti Union Ad (Warning 7mb mpeg file.)

By: steve

steve — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:15:06 +0000

Now the Business lobby Groups are going to flog a dead horse.

By: Lefty E

Lefty E — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:50:20 +0000

Guillame, the fact he didnt have an ABN is merely further evidence he wasnt an independent contractor.

As an employee, he doesn’t need to invoice for his wages.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:43:23 +0000

To what degree was all this explained to him, though? The kid’s 18.

In any case, I suspect the law doesn’t enable him to escape his obligations under a contract that easily.

By: Guilliame

Guilliame — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:41:13 +0000

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2007/s1998319.htm
“DAMIEN RICHARDSON: There was no signing up. When you’re a subcontractor you have to invoice me and you also have to ? you also have to provide me with an ABN number. Now, if you don’t provide me with an ABN (Australian Business Number) number I’m still able to pay you, and this is through the taxation law, I’m still able to pay you but I’m entitled to only pay you 50 per cent of what you’re owed.

TONY EASTLEY: Well, did he invoice you, or has he been paid?

DAMIEN RICHARDSON: He’s never invoiced me and he’s never actually ever asked me for money.”

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:56:52 +0000

TimT, firstly I disagree that this scandal is either unimportant or non-existent.

Secondly, Labor won’t be getting rid of casual jobs.

Thirdly, I’m working on a policy paper for the CPD on IR which will be out before the election, and as part of that I’ll be critiquing the ALP policy (which I find disappointing in many respects) so no doubt there’ll be posts from me on that issue.