Labour
Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy reform
“In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed terrorism as Australia’s principal security concern,” he said.
- “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed terrorism as Australia’s principal security concern,” he said.
- Tensions, especially in western Sydney, are much elevated because of the Middle East conflict.
- And the Wakeley attack came just two days after the Bondi Junction shopping centre stabbings, which killed six people.
- While that atrocity did not fall under the definition of “terrorism”, inevitably the two incidents were conflated by an alarmed public.
- The challenge for political leaders is not just dealing with the immediate increasing threats to cohesion, but with longer term policy.
- Andrew Jakubowicz, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Technology Sydney, highlights the three separate elements of multiculturalism.
“Settlement policy, which deals with arrival, survival and orientation, and the emergence of bonding within the group and finding employment, housing and education
"Multicultural policy, which ensures that institutions in society identify and respond to needs over the life course and in changing life circumstances, and
"Community Relations policy, which includes building skills in intercultural relations, engagement with the power hierarchies of society and the inclusion of diversity into the fabric of decision-making in society - from politics to education to health to the arts.”
- The Albanese government last year commissioned an independent review of the present multicultural framework.
- Although the review is not due for release until mid-year, the May budget is likely to see some initiatives.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Sky-high waiting times don’t make people trust the NHS any less – why that’s potentially bad news for Rishi Sunak
Waiting times in accident and emergency and referral times for specialist treatment remain staggeringly high.
- Waiting times in accident and emergency and referral times for specialist treatment remain staggeringly high.
- As researchers on trust, this led us to a question: do high waiting times mean people trust the NHS less?
- Trust is hugely important to society, as it tells us so much about people’s faith in the integrity of institutions.
- On a seven-point scale, trust in the NHS was a full two points higher than trust in parliament.
It is industry, not government, that is getting in the way of a ‘just transition’ for oil and gas workers
Canada’s oil and gas sector is in the throes of profound change driven by shifting consumer demand and global commitments to dramatically lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Canada’s oil and gas sector is in the throes of profound change driven by shifting consumer demand and global commitments to dramatically lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- But are industry and politicians sincere in their affection for oil and gas workers?
- Or, are energy workers merely a convenient vehicle to shield the industry from change that many Canadians believe is inevitable?
Picket lines
- We found the company used expanding pipeline capacity and Canada’s emission reduction policies to justify its push to force workers to take concessions.
- The lockout came to an end in June 2020 when Local 594 members ratified an agreement with FCL.
“Just” transition?
- Just this month federal Conservatives, conservative provincial governments and protesters came out strong against the increase to the Trudeau government’s signature climate policy — the price on carbon.
- The Liberal government has faced significant backlash against its other climate policies as well, including the oil and gas emissions cap.
- Conservatives position themselves as the voice of fossil fuel workers, who they cast as victims of carbon pricing and other federal environmental policies.
- Shuttered factories and their laid-off employees are victims of Liberal anti-oil policies, industry proponents insist.
Questions unanswered
- Time and again governments, local police and courts advanced the interests of industry over those of unionized workers.
- Or, will the inevitable winding down of extractive fossil fuel industries lead to acrimonious labour relations and social injustice?
- The path designed by powerful oil and gas interests is not one that puts workers or communities first.
- Emily Eaton receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
- Andrew Stevens receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the University of Regina (U of R fund: Unifor Scholar in Labour Relations).
Albanese government has ‘irreparably damaged’ Australia’s relations with Israel: Peter Dutton
She said the international community “was now considering the question of Palestinian statehood as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution”.
- She said the international community “was now considering the question of Palestinian statehood as a way of building momentum towards a two-state solution”.
- On Wednesday, when asked if Australia was willing to recognise Palestine as a state, Wong said the government had made “no such decision”.
- She stressed what needed to happen immediately was for Hamas to release the hostages and for a humanitarian ceasefire.
- "A Coalition government is committed to seeing a prioritisation on reading, writing and maths, including through explicit instruction teaching.
- “A Coalition government under my leadership will rebuild our national confidence and camaraderie by focusing on the things which unite us”.
Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Chief People Officer, Amy Hanlon-Rodemich to leave Nokia
Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announces that its Chief People Officer, Amy Hanlon-Rodemich, will leave the company and step down from its Group Leadership Team.
- Espoo, Finland – Nokia today announces that its Chief People Officer, Amy Hanlon-Rodemich, will leave the company and step down from its Group Leadership Team.
- A recruitment process will begin immediately for her successor and Amy will retain an advisory role during her notice period.
- Amy joined Nokia in 2022 and has been key to renewing the company’s people services and employee experience.
- Lorna Gibb, Vice President, Labor & Employment, will assume the role of interim Chief People Officer for Nokia as the search commences.
Hiring Growth for Small Businesses Continues in March
The CBIZ SBEI tracks payroll and hiring trends for over 3,000 companies that have 300 or fewer employees, providing broad insight into small business trends.
- The CBIZ SBEI tracks payroll and hiring trends for over 3,000 companies that have 300 or fewer employees, providing broad insight into small business trends.
- Meanwhile, the ADP employment report indicated hiring growth among small, medium and large-sized companies.
- Small businesses accounted for an increase of 16,000 of those jobs on a seasonally adjusted, month-over-month basis.
- Whether small businesses can continue this hiring trend is up in the air.
Schwab Trading Activity Index™: Score Ascends to Moderate Levels in March
The Schwab Trading Activity Index™ (STAX) increased to 51.65 in March, up from its score of 47.65 in February.
- The Schwab Trading Activity Index™ (STAX) increased to 51.65 in March, up from its score of 47.65 in February.
- View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240408112995/en/
Schwab Trading Activity Index March 2024 (Graphic: Charles Schwab)
The reading for the four-week period ending March 28, 2024 ranks “moderate” compared to historic averages and marks the highest reading since May 2022. - “In the face of undeniably mixed macroeconomic data, the markets soared this month, and the STAX score continued its rise in step,” said Joe Mazzola, Director of Trading and Education at Charles Schwab.
- “Despite the market highs, however, Schwab clients remain in the moderate range of market exposure as measured by the STAX.
Penny Wong floats recognising Palestine ahead of two-state solution to help path to peace
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has taken Australian policy a modest step towards embracing recognition of a Palestine state ahead of a two-state solution, as a pathway to a lasting Middle East peace.
- Foreign Minister Penny Wong has taken Australian policy a modest step towards embracing recognition of a Palestine state ahead of a two-state solution, as a pathway to a lasting Middle East peace.
- She quoted British Foreign Secretary David Cameron saying the United Kingdom “will look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations”.
- “There are always those who claim recognition is rewarding an enemy,” Wong said.
- The Albanese government’s policy has been for a two-state solution, but it has not embraced recognising a Palestinian state ahead of that.
USIC Becomes Official Partner of the U.S. Army’s Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program
As a PaYS Partner, USIC guarantees soldiers an interview and possible employment following the fulfillment of their commitment to the Army.
- As a PaYS Partner, USIC guarantees soldiers an interview and possible employment following the fulfillment of their commitment to the Army.
- “USIC is honored to serve as a PaYS Program Partner, working alongside Army recruiters and mentoring soldiers as they transition to civilian employment,” TJ Martin, USIC Senior Manager of Military Recruiting, stated.
- “We are committed to providing meaningful career opportunities, development, and support to military veterans, who comprise nearly 10% of the USIC workforce.
- To learn more about USIC’s commitment to recruiting and supporting veterans in their search for a meaningful civilian career, visit www.usicllc.com/careers/military/ .