Australia news LIVE: PM announces robo-debt royal commission; Greens call for nationwide rent freeze

Key posts

• 6.55amFederal government takes aim at gig economy ‘cancer’
• 6.30amAward-winning writers to shape ‘cultural policy for the nation’
• 6.19amThis morning’s key headlines at a glance

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Federal government takes aim at gig economy ‘cancer’

The federal government is preparing a sweeping expansion of the industrial relations system, declaring Uber-style labour contracts a “cancer” on the Australian economy, and is launching talks with major players on how to extend traditional employee rights to gig workers.

In remarks which point to a potential clash between the Albanese government and platforms like Uber, Deliveroo, Menulog and DoorDash, Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke will use a speech in Sydney today to accuse the sector of driving down wages of up to 1 million workers.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke has begun the process of regulating Australia’s gig economy.Credit:James Brickwood

“Gig work drives down wages and it has been spreading like a cancer through the economy,” Burke will tell union members ahead of next week’s jobs and skills summit in Canberra.

“[It is now] extending into the care economy – into aged care and the NDIS – and into industries like security.”

Read the full story here.

Award-winning writers to shape ‘cultural policy for the nation’

Novelist Christos Tsiolkas, arts philanthropist Janet Holmes a Court and historian and author Clare Wright are among the senior figures who will help guide the Labor government as it looks to develop an all-encompassing strategy for the way cultural practices fit into the economy and society as a whole.

The government will today unveil a seven-person expert advisory group that will “provide overarching strategic advice” as it seeks to develop its new National Cultural Policy.

Christos Tsiolkas has been appointed to a new expert advisory group that will help steer the federal government’s new national cultural policy.Credit:John Tsiavis

The group will sift through more than 1200 public submissions before tabling its report by December. The government is hoping to have legislation drafted by the first half of 2023.

Read the full story here.

This morning’s key headlines at a glance

Good morning and thanks for your company.

It’s Friday, August 26. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll be anchoring our live coverage for the first half of the day.

Here’s what you need to know before we get started.

• Nick Bonyhady writes that the federal government is gearing up for a sweeping expansion of the industrial relations system.
• Meanwhile, Karl Quinn reports that Labor is looking to develop a new cultural policy for the nation.
• Babies could soon be immunised against winter infection respiratory syncytium virus.
• In case you missed it yesterday, there’ll be a royal commission into the robo-debt saga. And the Greens have called for a national freeze on rent.
• And in international news, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a buildup of military forces six months after his country invaded Ukraine.

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