Archived News for Human Resource Professionals - August, 2015
The Australian Taxation Office is looking at the funding of the massive Gorgon natural gas project, amid claims that it will make billions of dollars tax-free.
Senator seeks public shame for big tax dodgers
The first report from a Senate inquiry into multinational tax avoidance is expected to be tabled today, while investigators say companies are funnelling more than AU$30 billion to Singapore every year to avoid tax.
Big digs covered up sliding wages
Economists say the sugar hit of mining boom masked a deterioration in Australian wage growth.
Literacy and work links discussed in Tasmania
The high rate of Tasmanian students graduating without being able to read, write or do sums is a “big problem”, one minister says.
Sleazy pubs to stadiums, live music brings $16 bil
Live music poured $15.7 billion into the Australian economy last year, while creating 65,000 full and part-time jobs.
Council member sacked after strange night finding
The WA Legislative Council says it had no choice but to sack a top-level officer because he had “lost the trust” of his colleagues, after criminal charges were raised against him.
Union probe leader's Liberal link slammed
The man in charge of the royal commission into union corruption is being promoted as the guest speaker at a Liberal Party fundraiser.
WikiLeaks warns would-be whistlers
WikiLeaks has warned Federal Government whistleblowers to watch out, following the prosecution of a junior public servant alleged to have posted secret information online.
'Best friends' is a bad test for HR
HR departments do not need to measure employee engagement by asking whether employees are forming ‘best friendships’ at work, one expert says.
'Wife beater' campaign starts with the name
A new campaign has been launched to rename the common navy blue ‘wife beater’ singlet.
Modern firms redesigning perks
Tech companies have emerged as bold innovators in the realm of employee perks.
Train strike looms in Melbourne
Victorian members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have voted to take industrial action next week, in a move that could see free travel for Melbourne residents.
ED enlisted in domestic violence response
Researchers say hospital emergency rooms could become the centre of studies on domestic violence measures.
Liberals move to mute unions in ACT
The Canberra Liberals want the ACT Government to cut all financial and political links with the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU).
Port protest holds strong
Picket lines outside the Port Botany and Port Brisbane terminals of Hutchison Ports have turned into a show of union solidarity, as workers protest the sudden sacking of 97 employees - 57 in Sydney and 40 in Brisbane - via email.
Concern about perfection doesn't pay
Many people describe themselves as the type of person who needs everything to be “done right”, but this urge for perfection could carry some severe costs.
Union division on Work Choices or not
A war of words is brewing as to whether a review of industrial relation is a return to Work Choices.
AG spots overpaid, underworked bosses
Staff at state government agency Major Projects Victoria (MPV) are overpaid and underworked, the auditor-general has found.
Cashless welfare card in swipe at social reform
A trial has been launched for a cashless welfare card in one South Australian town, which community leaders say will save lives.
Watchdog stalks dodgy cop claims
Queensland’s fraud squad is being investigated by the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) after media reports of corruption.
Breastfeeding scheme to grow acceptance
A new scheme will let Australian offices proudly proclaim their acceptance of breastfeeding.