The Latest Breaking News from Tony Burke

Treasurer defends superannuation change as 'modest'

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hit out at opposition attacks on the government's superannuation tax changes, describing them as only modest.

AAP · Mar 4, 2023

Review underway as workers pay a deadly price for cheaper engineered-stone bench tops

Many engineered-stone benchtops could soon be taken off the market as governments push ahead with plans to review a ban.

The New Daily · Mar 3, 2023

Safe Work Australia asked to look at regulations needed to ban engineered stone over silicosis risk

Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke says he and other ministers have asked Safe Work Australia to look into what would be needed to put in place a ban on the material.

ABC News · Feb 28, 2023

Culturally significant Mexican artefacts seized in Australia handed back to Mexico

A painting by a Mexican worker who was trapped in a mine and a tiny copper bowl caught the attention of Australian authorities, leading to the artefacts being returned to Mexico.

ABC News · Feb 27, 2023

Early childhood educators 'barely able to survive' on wages as workers call for action

Waitlists and demand for child care are on the rise in regional areas as educators increasingly leave the industry. Centres say it is a crisis and federal support is urgently needed.

ABC News · Feb 21, 2023

Upholding Qantas’s decision to sack staff would weaken workplace rights, union warns

The airline is seeking to overturn in the high court a finding that it illegally outsourced 1,700 ground handler jobs

The Guardian - AU · Feb 20, 2023

Employment department's 1000 contractors 'hypocritical' as public service cracks down on outsourcing

The Employment Department's use of 1000 contractors is 'hypocritical', Michaelia Cash says.

The Canberra Times · Feb 15, 2023

Labor’s new cultural policy ‘first step’ in addressing National Gallery of Australia’s $265m shortfall

Funds needed to keep doors open, exhibitions free and carry out urgent repairs to protect $7bn worth of art, director says

The Guardian - AU · Feb 14, 2023

Reserve Bank causing households ‘too much pain’ with rate rises, says union chief Sally McManus

Australian union leader says the absence of labour market expertise on the RBA board had caused ‘missteps’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 9, 2023

Michelle Rowland faces calls to resign for accepting gaming company donations before election

Communications minister tells parliament all donations met disclosure rules while independent Andrew Wilkie calls her ‘utterly conflicted’

The Guardian - AU · Feb 9, 2023