Latest news with #WorkCover
Sky News AU
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Street sweeper Shaun Turner says he speaks for 'silent majority' after questioning use of Acknowledgement to Country during Darebin Council work meeting
The Melbourne council street sweeper sacked over questioning the use of an Acknowledgement to Country before a work meeting has argued the ceremonies are being overdone and that he had to take a stand for the "silent majority". Shaun Turner, 60, last week won his unfair dismissal case against Darebin Council after he was let go when he asked why the ritual was being introduced at a toolbox meeting. He had argued in the meeting "people who have worn the uniform and fought" for Australia are the ones that should be thanked, later telling councillors he did not have to be "welcomed into my own country" and that the use of it was "getting out of hand". The council alleged Mr Turner said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people "do not deserve an acknowledgement at the start of meetings" in a disrespectful way. But the Fair Work Commission found Mr Turner's way of expression was not aggressive, as claimed by the council, and that his opinion did not warrant being sacked. Speaking to The Australian, who first reported the story, the father-of-three said the use of Acknowledgement to Country in small meetings was "pushing it too far". Mr Turner doubled down on previous remarks that the ceremony should be reserved for special occasions and foreign dignitaries when they visit the country. "I think the silent majority who won't just say anything, but they probably all think the same way but they don't want to upset the apple cart," he said. Asked if Australia has become "too politically correct", the council worker said "it's all gone too far the other way and people have just had enough now". 'I just feel like if you were a pale, stale male you can't go to work now and have a laugh. If me and you are having a laugh, and he (a third person) takes it to management, well, next minute we're getting a warning for not being inclusive," he said. Mr Turner, who voted for the Liberal Party at the federal election, said often people jump jump to accusations of racism if they question the Welcome to Country. But he insisted he has "no problem with Aboriginal people". The Fair Work Commission is still considering whether the worker from Research, northeast of Melbourne's outskirts, should be compensated or be given his job back. Mr Turner is unsure whether he wants to continue in the role again due to a painful shoulder condition that had left him on WorkCover prior to being sacked. He would consider being redeployed to another role and/or compensation. Overnight, Senator Pauline Hanson praised Mr Turner for speaking his mind. "That council worker, good on him for actually fighting back over it and questioning it. And yet he's lost his job. He's won it in the courts and I hope that they actually apologise to him and offer his job back," Senator Hanson told Sky News' Danica and James. It comes after a poll from the Institute of Public Affairs over the weekend found 56 per cent of people surveyed say Welcome to Country Ceremonies are divisive.
ABC News
28-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Family of Victorian firefighter's battle with WorkCover over cancer dependency claim
Mick Hughes loved being a firefighter, serving his community and the camaraderie that came with the job — but it was a job that would claim his life. Last year, he died less than a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His widow, Heather, has little doubt the cancer was caused by decades of exposure to toxic chemicals in fires. After a battle with WorkCover his disease was recognised as an occupational illness, but when Heather made a dependency claim after he died, it was rejected. "I was quite shocked because initially I thought, well, you've already accepted liability," she said. "You've already paid for his medical expenses, paid for his wages while he was sick, and now that he's gone, he's not covered. "It's double standards." Dependency claims entitle a worker's dependents to financial support following a work-related death. The rejection is a decision Ms Hughes is now fighting, and her family's plight has highlighted deficiencies and inconsistencies in a system that is meant to recognise the high risk firefighters have of contracting deadly cancers. "He was a very fit man, but was always concerned about attending all these toxic fires," Ms Hughes said. "He attended about six metal recycling fires in the western suburbs and then he would come home, and he'd say, 'I just try and keep away from the smoke'." In Victoria, 15 cancers are part of presumptive rights, meaning firefighters who get them automatically get compensation and assistance because of the link between the disease and firefighting. Similar schemes exist in other states. Throughout his nearly 35 years in the fire brigade, Mr Hughes attended dozens of toxic fires, including the Coode Island disaster in 1991. Victoria's WorkCover system, through provider Gallagher Bassett, recognised that his cancer was a work-related illness and provided him with assistance. But it wasn't without a fight. Pancreatic cancer is not one of 15 cancers that automatically qualify for compensation, and the claim was initially rejected. "I said, 'Mick we're fighting this'," Ms Hughes said. "He didn't have the strength to fight it, but I said, 'I'm going into battle for you, Mick. Someone needs to have a voice for you'." After conciliation, Gallagher Bassett accepted the claim. But there was more heartache after he died. Gallagher Bassett told Ms Hughes she could make a dependency claim, which she did, only to have it rejected. The company referred questions to WorkCover, who said it did not comment on individual claims. It said dependency claims were assessed differently to those made by an original recipient. Ms Hughes has appealed the decision, but she is speaking out because she wants the law changed to protect other firefighters who will get cancer. In other states, firefighters are covered for pancreatic cancer, as are federally employed firefighters at Melbourne Airport. Ms Hughes said she would fight to set the same standard in Victoria. "I would like to set a precedent for the other firefighters that are coming through that are going to get pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, all the cancers that aren't under the designated cancers at the moment," she said. "Presumptive legislation should cover every single cancer, full stop" In 2023, the state government expanded the eligible cancers to include cervical, breast and ovarian cancers. The then-Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, told parliament that officials were assessing pancreatic and five other cancers to see if they would be added to the list. Current minister Vicki Ward said she had the deepest sympathies for Mr Hughes' family. "We are incredibly grateful for the invaluable service of emergency service workers and the critical work that they do which can increase their exposure to certain types of cancer,'' she said. "We will continue to monitor whether Victoria's presumptive compensation legislation appropriately reflects the increased risks emergency service workers can face due to their service." United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall said Ms Hughes had suffered from "breathtaking hypocrisy". "The claim is supposed to be there for the dependencies, for the family members,'' Mr Marshall said. "Firefighters are not an expendable commodity, where they can just send them into burning buildings and not provide the protection to their family in the event they get ill. "It's just wrong." The Victorian Opposition is also backing an expansion of the scheme. Liberal MP Nick McGowan said there was "something wrong" if the state couldn't look after those who risked their lives in service. "It's obviously a travesty, it's wrong and we're looking to the government to reverse it,'' Mr McGowan said. Ms Hughes has vowed to keep fighting. "This man served his community for 35 years," she said. "He put his life at risk for the community and ultimately, he lost his life. "Was it worth it? No, it wasn't worth it. Being a firefighter was not worth losing his life."
The Age
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Victorian Liberals accused of sacking staffer in retaliation for bullying claims
She has now made a 36-page statement for a Fair Work application claiming she was set up to fail, excluded, given unachievable key performance indicators, denigrated, and was the target of a more than year-long campaign to 'get rid of Nadine'. Her application refers to discussions within a WhatsApp group, which is understood to have involved Smith and other staff. Jones claims she was stood down in retaliation for making bullying complaints against Smith and Davis, and for Davis' embarrassment over the Rinehart incident. She claims she was then sacked in retaliation for taking her case to WorkCover. The Liberal Party declined to comment on the allegations. The Age has seen the Fair Work application lodged against the party last week, Jones' witness statement, and the stand-down and termination letters issued to Jones. The same documents have been provided to all members of the party's 19-person administrative committee, which includes Opposition Leader Brad Battin. Loading The administrative committee has separately received a request to intervene in the damaging dispute between Deeming and Pesutto by authorising the use of party funds to pay for or loan the money for legal costs owed by the former leader to his party room colleague. Deeming last year successfully sued Pesutto for defamation before the Federal Court after he falsely implied she associated with neo-Nazis. Battin replaced Pesutto as party leader weeks after the judgment. The court this month ordered Pesutto to pay Deeming $2.3 million in legal costs by this Friday. Deeming's lawyers have flagged their intention to pursue third parties for costs — including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Denis Napthine and Ted Baillieu and serving MPs Georgie Crozier and David Southwick — if Pesutto is left bankrupt. This masthead has spoken to a dozen party members and staff who requested anonymity for this story. Four Liberal sources said standing Jones down from the fundraising body on the eve of the federal election hampered campaign fundraising efforts. The complaint against Smith and Davis emerged at a time when the party organisation and its office holders were under intense pressure to account for the party's disastrous result in last month's federal election, at which it lost two more suburban seats to Labor. Both men were contacted for comment. The latest federal election drubbing follows successive Liberal wipe-outs at the previous two state elections. Suggestions by supporters of Smith and Davis that Jones' complaint was part of a bigger factional play for control of the party have been rejected by four sources close to Jones. Battin has privately canvassed a clear-out of senior positions at party headquarters to end infighting and become electorally competitive in Victoria, several sources have confirmed to The Age, although Battin has publicly disputed this. Jones, in her Fair Work application, claims she had almost quadrupled Enterprise Victoria's membership in the two years in her role, and that annual revenue had increased about fivefold. She claims she was the target of a misinformation campaign about her performance to legitimise standing her down. She is seeking compensation for lost income, unpaid commission and damages. The Fair Work claim provides further details about a March 26 fundraising dinner at Zagame's House on Carlton's Lygon Street that Jones secured Rinehart for, in what was seen as a coup for the party. Davis rebranded the Enterprise Victoria event as a Victorian Liberal Party function and insisted on hosting. Jones offered him speaking notes, but according to Jones' claim, Davis replied: 'This is not my first rodeo.' He then introduced Rinehart as a sponsor of Netball Australia, which Jones in her application describes as a 'very public and embarrassing gaffe'. Hancock Prospecting withdrew its $15 million four-year sponsorship with Netball Australia in 2022 amid a flurry of headlines after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the mining company's logo. Jones was stood down the next day. She claims the misconduct allegations against her had never previously been raised and that the action was retaliatory. The party, in its stand-down letter to Jones, accused her of improperly giving complimentary or discounted tickets to an earlier $2000-a-head lunch with Western Australian senator Michaelia Cash without approval, sharing confidential and financial information, and using her private email and device to transmit and store sensitive party information. Jones disputes the characterisation of the claims and argues they were contrived.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Victorian Liberals accused of sacking staffer in retaliation for bullying claims
She has now made a 36-page statement for a Fair Work application claiming she was set up to fail, excluded, given unachievable key performance indicators, denigrated, and was the target of a more than year-long campaign to 'get rid of Nadine'. Her application refers to discussions within a WhatsApp group, which is understood to have involved Smith and other staff. Jones claims she was stood down in retaliation for making bullying complaints against Smith and Davis, and for Davis' embarrassment over the Rinehart incident. She claims she was then sacked in retaliation for taking her case to WorkCover. The Liberal Party declined to comment on the allegations. The Age has seen the Fair Work application lodged against the party last week, Jones' witness statement, and the stand-down and termination letters issued to Jones. The same documents have been provided to all members of the party's 19-person administrative committee, which includes Opposition Leader Brad Battin. Loading The administrative committee has separately received a request to intervene in the damaging dispute between Deeming and Pesutto by authorising the use of party funds to pay for or loan the money for legal costs owed by the former leader to his party room colleague. Deeming last year successfully sued Pesutto for defamation before the Federal Court after he falsely implied she associated with neo-Nazis. Battin replaced Pesutto as party leader weeks after the judgment. The court this month ordered Pesutto to pay Deeming $2.3 million in legal costs by this Friday. Deeming's lawyers have flagged their intention to pursue third parties for costs — including former premiers Jeff Kennett, Denis Napthine and Ted Baillieu and serving MPs Georgie Crozier and David Southwick — if Pesutto is left bankrupt. This masthead has spoken to a dozen party members and staff who requested anonymity for this story. Four Liberal sources said standing Jones down from the fundraising body on the eve of the federal election hampered campaign fundraising efforts. The complaint against Smith and Davis emerged at a time when the party organisation and its office holders were under intense pressure to account for the party's disastrous result in last month's federal election, at which it lost two more suburban seats to Labor. Both men were contacted for comment. The latest federal election drubbing follows successive Liberal wipe-outs at the previous two state elections. Suggestions by supporters of Smith and Davis that Jones' complaint was part of a bigger factional play for control of the party have been rejected by four sources close to Jones. Battin has privately canvassed a clear-out of senior positions at party headquarters to end infighting and become electorally competitive in Victoria, several sources have confirmed to The Age, although Battin has publicly disputed this. Jones, in her Fair Work application, claims she had almost quadrupled Enterprise Victoria's membership in the two years in her role, and that annual revenue had increased about fivefold. She claims she was the target of a misinformation campaign about her performance to legitimise standing her down. She is seeking compensation for lost income, unpaid commission and damages. The Fair Work claim provides further details about a March 26 fundraising dinner at Zagame's House on Carlton's Lygon Street that Jones secured Rinehart for, in what was seen as a coup for the party. Davis rebranded the Enterprise Victoria event as a Victorian Liberal Party function and insisted on hosting. Jones offered him speaking notes, but according to Jones' claim, Davis replied: 'This is not my first rodeo.' He then introduced Rinehart as a sponsor of Netball Australia, which Jones in her application describes as a 'very public and embarrassing gaffe'. Hancock Prospecting withdrew its $15 million four-year sponsorship with Netball Australia in 2022 amid a flurry of headlines after Diamonds players said they did not want to wear uniforms featuring the mining company's logo. Jones was stood down the next day. She claims the misconduct allegations against her had never previously been raised and that the action was retaliatory. The party, in its stand-down letter to Jones, accused her of improperly giving complimentary or discounted tickets to an earlier $2000-a-head lunch with Western Australian senator Michaelia Cash without approval, sharing confidential and financial information, and using her private email and device to transmit and store sensitive party information. Jones disputes the characterisation of the claims and argues they were contrived.
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
No-show Setka too sick to deal with lawyers over push to oust AFL umpiring boss
A mystery illness has left former CFMEU boss John Setka too unwell to appear in court or even instruct lawyers over allegations he tried to force the AFL into sacking its umpiring head. Setka, or lawyers on his behalf, have now failed to show up for two preliminary Federal Court hearings to respond to accusations from the Fair Work Ombudsman, instead providing a medical certificate that he is too unwell to attend meetings. The court heard that while the certificate provided few details of the nature of the union hardman's ailment, it also indicated he had a WorkCover claim in progress. The ombudsman alleges the disgraced former CFMEU boss breached workplace laws by trying to pressure the AFL into dumping its umpiring chief, Steve McBurney, due to his previous job at the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC). A case management hearing on Friday was unable to proceed after Setka's second no-show in a month, leaving Justice John Snaden and lawyers representing the ombudsman to discuss options to go forward with the matter. Loading Representing the ombudsman, lawyer Marc Felman, KC, said he had received correspondence including a medical certificate that stated that Setka was not currently in a state of mind to attend meetings, make decisions or instruct legal representation, though there was no indication of how long it would take him to recover. Felman said the letter indicated Setka would be receiving treatment for several months and had a WorkCover claim that was being assessed, but the nature of his illness was not disclosed because Setka was concerned about releasing personal and private information to government organisations. He told the court Setka needed to file a defence or a report from a qualified specialist medical practitioner.
