THE NEWS WRAP: Employers worried about community sector pay ruling

Employer groups have expressed alarm over a Fair Work Australia decision to give workers in the community services sector a pay rise of up to 45%. The employment watchdog ruled that social workers, carers and child protection workers were underpaid, awarding them raises of between 21% and 45%. However, the Australian Chamber of […]

Oliver Milman 01 February, 2012

Employer groups have expressed alarm over a Fair Work Australia decision to give workers in the community services sector a pay rise of up to 45%.

The employment watchdog ruled that social workers, carers and child protection workers were underpaid, awarding them raises of between 21% and 45%.

However, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the outcome was “disturbing” and set a precedent for other industries

Business lobbying funds revealed

Tobacco companies, the mining industry and clubs have been identified as some of the largest business lobbyists of the government, according to new figures.

The Australian Electoral Commission has revealed figures on political donations over the past financial year.

Cigarette makers spent $9 million on fighting plain packaging legislation, while the Minerals Council of Australia splashed out $4 million pushing back against the mining tax.

TripAdvisor rebuked over reviews

Leading review site TripAdvisor has been rebuked by UK authorities for claiming that it publishes reviews that users can “trust.”

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority said that US-based TripAdvisor’s claim of having “more than 50 million honest travel reviews” could not be verified, warning other businesses not to do the same.