☕️ Administrator to take over CFMEU

Have you ever wondered how prisoners read the news?

This is something that a new national newspaper is trying to tackle. It’s called ‘About Time’ and it’s designed to be read by the prison population of Australia - about 40,000 people.

On today’s podcast, we talk to the Managing Director of About Time, Jo Friedman, about why this publication is needed and how it is has made a difference for prisoners. You can listen here.

“Full on, open climate change denial is now less fashionable than it was 10 or 15 years ago in the public debate… What it has been replaced with is what I call all-too-hard-ism... That is more dangerous, I think, in the public debate, than full on straight-out climate change denial.”
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen speaking at the National Press Club.

54%
The percentage of Australians who say they trust corporate Australia less than they used to, according to a survey by market research firm Roy Morgan.

2012
Kim Jong Un was appointed as the Supreme Leader of North Korea.

Two Victorian universities have raised concerns about the Federal Government’s plan to limit international student numbers.

The University of Melbourne and Monash University commissioned an analysis of the impacts of the proposed caps.

It showed the policy “would seriously damage the Victorian economy,” according to a statement from the universities.

Here’s what you need to know.

In the year to April, over 780,000 international students enrolled in Australian universities, up 16% on pre-COVID levels.

In May, the Federal Government announced it planned to “limit the number of international students that can be enrolled over a particular period of time”.

Universities would be able to enrol more international students if they build more student accommodation.

The proposal is currently before the Lower House.

Analysis prepared for Monash and Melbourne Universities showed there are 130,000 international students in Victoria. As these students pay their full course fees upfront, they “make a significant contribution to university finances”.

It also said international students generate another $44,000 each in economic value “through spending on accommodation, food, entertainment, travel and spending of international visitors”.

The analysis suggested the proposed law would “severely reduce the ability” of the state’s universities to “invest in infrastructure” and fund research.

University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Wesley said the “loss of income” from limiting international students will have flow-on effects on the Victorian and national economies.

“Critical services like healthcare are already being cut in Victoria due to funding pressures. These proposed caps will only do more harm to our state.”

Education Minister Jason Clare told TDA the proposed law would ensure the ongoing sustainability of the international student system.

He said consultation with universities is ongoing and that the Government plans to “make sure we get the design and implementation of these critical reforms right”.

“This is a really important national asset, and we need to ensure it maintains its social licence,” Clare said.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

The Federal Government has announced an external administrator will be appointed to overhaul the CFMEU — one of Australia’s biggest unions.

Following an investigation by the Nine Network, Australia’s peak building union is being investigated for alleged ties to criminal gangs and bikie groups.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke called the allegations “abhorrent” and “intolerable”. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) will now appoint an independent official to take control of CFMEU operations.

Here’s what that means.

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) represents more than 115,000 workers from sectors including construction, manufacturing, and shipping. The CFMEU has national, state, and territory branches.

A recent Nine Network investigation uncovered alleged links between criminal figures and the CFMEU’s construction division.

This included giving people with known criminal convictions positions of power to oversee government-funded construction projects.

Nine also accused the Victorian CFMEU State Secretary John Setka of abusive behaviour.

The union now faces multiple investigations, including from the Australian Federal Police.

Ahead of the allegations surfacing over the weekend, Setka resigned.

However, he described the media reports as “ongoing false allegations”.

The union regularly donates to the Labor Party at a federal and state level. For example, in the 2021/22 financial year, the CFMEU donated more than $3.4 million to Federal Labor.

When an organisation goes into administration, independent officials are appointed to take over operations. These administrators are tasked with analysing how an organisation has been running to recommend changes for its survival.

Unions are regulated by the FWC, which is currently seeking to appoint an administrator to take over control of the CFMEU’s construction wing.

This could lead to the union’s senior leadership team, who are elected by members, being dissolved.

FWC General Manager Murray Furlong has formally notified the Government of its plans to appoint an administrator.

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said the Government fully supports the FWC’s efforts in ”cleaning out the organisation,” and stamping out any corruption or criminal ties.

Burke flagged there could be some legal barriers to the FWC taking over the CFMEU. However, he vowed to introduce laws in Parliament to get around any hurdles.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called the CFMEU “corrupt” and is pushing for the union to be de-registered — meaning it would no longer formally exist as a collective bargaining body for workers.

This would impact the CFMEU’s influence in circumstances like pay negotiations.

Burke has ruled out deregistration.

CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith announced an internal review of the CFMEU’s Victorian branch.

Fair Work has flagged a potential conflict of interest with Smith investigating a union he holds a leadership position in.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has also asked the state’s anti-corruption agency, IBAC, to investigate criminal links in the union, and has urged the Labor Party to not accept CFMEU donations.

Since publishing the initial allegations against the CFMEU, Nine reported further evidence on Wednesday, accusing a Sydney-based union boss of accepting a bribe.

NSW Premier Chris Minns called on NSW Labor to suspend its ties to the CFMEU construction division.

The State Opposition has asked for a Royal Commission into the CFMEU to formally investigate alleged wrongdoing.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

Men’s health is in crisis – and it impacts everyone.

Australian men face significant health challenges. With higher rates of suicide and a higher burden of disease for several preventable health conditions, like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and injuries. Men are less likely to engage in preventative health, and that is putting immense pressure on the families and communities who care for men in poor health. Movember’s ‘Real Face of Men’s Health’ report highlights the current state of men’s health in Australia and its widespread effects on society.

The unexpected faces of men’s health

When men are unwell, it often falls on loved ones to care for them. This unpaid workforce – most of whom are women – is often overlooked in conversations surrounding men’s health.

Over one in 10 Australians are informal caregivers, with the toll of caregiving falling disproportionately on women. 50% of female caregivers report that caregiving has had a negative impact on their mental health. While caregiving can be incredibly rewarding, it can also come with significant emotional, physical, social, and financial pressures. That's why it's vital for everyone to work together to improve men's health outcomes.

Your experience matters. Share your story here.

The ‘Team Seas’ campaign partnered with international conservation groups to help remove plastic and waste pollution from waterways.

The global campaign has raised millions of dollars and has been supported by online personalities including YouTuber Mr Beast.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

Do you ever worry you’ll regret a tattoo?

Dan Thomas, a 29-year-old football fan from Wiltshire, UK, has absolutely no regrets about his poorly-timed tatt.

Thomas got a trophy with “England Euro 2024 Winners” inked onto his leg… before England lost to Spain in the finals.

However, the data consultant told UK outlet PA Media, that “we came close”, so he doesn’t regret the ink. In fact, he plans to get it redone for the Euros in 2028.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

How do prisoners get information? How about news? This is something that a new national newspaper is trying to tackle. It’s called ‘About Time’ and it’s designed to be read by the prison population of Australia - about 40,000 people.

In today's deep dive, we talk to the Managing Director of About Time, Jo Friedman, about why this publication is needed, what it hopes to achieve, whether it can even get behind bars, and if it makes prisoners feel more free.