Key Points
- A landmark fine for Qantas as Federal Court Judge condemns airline’s actions in pandemic
- Man killed, another injured in shooting attack at Sydney pub
- World Humanoid Games finishes in China, with 16 countries participating
TRANSCRIPT
Australia's largest airline has been ordered to pay a landmark penalty of $90 million for what has been dubbed the largest case of illegal sackings in the country's history.
Qantas outsourced more than 1800 baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, in a move the Federal Court ruled was designed to curb union bargaining power in wage negotiations.
The embattled airline's appeal to the High Court was unsuccessful, paving the way for today's penalty.
Transport Workers Union National Secretary, Michael Kaine said this was vindication for workers.
"Justice Lee has absolutely smashed Qantas for all of its conduct over five years. These workers have been vindicated, the 60 thousand workers who decided to take on this risk have been vindicated."
Qantas will have to pay the hefty bill on top of a $120 million compensation payment it has made to affected ground staff for their economic loss, pain and suffering following the outsourcing.
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Police are appealing for information from possible witnesses or dashcam footage, after the fatal shooting attack of patrons at a Sydney pub.
A 39-year-old man has died and another man, aged 31, has undergone surgery after his injuries.
Police say the pair were watching UFC at the Harold Hotel in Forest Lodge yesterday afternoon when they were attacked by a gunman when they left the venue around 6 pm.
It is not believed that the offender is known to the victims, and Detective Superintendent Alf Sergi says they have not yet been able to speak with the man who survived.
"As we speak with more witnesses we will get a clearer picture. Again, I don't want to use supposition. I would rather work on facts. So, at this stage one shooter but I wouldn't discount there would be a second person involved."
Officer Sergi says the investigation will focus on links with organised crime networks.
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The Australian Services Union will lodge a submission with the Fair Work Commission to support working from home, where it's possible to do so.
It also wants to stop working at home being used by employers to bargain away other rights like pay and conditions — amid warnings A-I could replace jobs that can be done remotely.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek told the ABC that Australia needed to take "a common-sense approach" to working from home.
But Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says workers need to be careful about choosing to work from home, because those roles are more likely to be replaced by AI.
"I'd be doing everything in your power to try and keep your jobs because if people can prove they don't need to come to the office, then the office can prove that they can be replaced by AI."
The use and application of AI is likely to be a hot topic at this week's productivity roundtable to be held in Canberra.
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The Federal Treasurer says key economic indicators, including wage growth and inflation, have put the country in an ideal position for economic reform.
A three-day economic roundtable will run from tomorrow [19 AUGUST] in Canberra, and Jim Chalmers says there are key priorities to address to lift productivity, after Australia recently recorded its weakest decade for productivity growth in 60 years.
Mr Chalmers says the government is consulting with experts on how to change regulation that is slowing industry growth, and ways to adopt and adapt to new technology.
"I'm optimistic there is an appetite for reform. There is ambition, when it comes to dealing with the three major challenges in our economy. Productivity first of all, but also economic resilience and also budget sustainability."
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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has jumped on an overnight call with world leaders, ahead of a bilateral meeting between the Ukrainian and U-S presidents.
European leaders plan to accompany Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House this week, for talks with Donald Trump.
In a post on X, Mr Albanese said he spoke with the leaders of the UK, France and Mr Zelenskyy among others, discussing what he described as 'next steps in achieving a just and enduring peace'.
Last week, Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met without Ukraine's leader, but failed to reach a deal to end the war.
Members of the Australian Ukrainian community have expressed outrage over the meeting.
Albanese has said the talks were 'a good thing', but stressed that Russia should not be rewarded for the invasion.
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To sport, five hundred robots from 16 countries - have wrapped up competition at the World Humanoid Games in Beijing overnight.
The robots competed in running, soccer, and boxing over three days of competition, which finished with sprint and relay events.
They didn't beat human records, but Gao Yuan, from China's Unitree Robotics company, says the event successfully showcased the robotics industry.
“We participated in these games not just to win a gold or silver medal. Our biggest win is not being the champion but showing everyone the charisma of our mass-produced robots. What matters the most is keeping up the healthy development of our industry.”
