The eternal political minefield that is industrial relations has come alive again this week with the government releasing a set of reforms. But this time, writes Michelle Grattan, something very unusual has happened: while Labor threw up its arms at the government’s omnibus bill – particularly the Better Off Overall Test – it also worked with the government and parts of the union to pass a bill that makes a “hit” on CFMMEU bad boy John Setka.

The upshot of this bill passing is that next year, the mining division will head out of the powerful union and the manufacturing division may follow. It will weaken the union, but those who leave will be able to do their jobs more normally.

The omnibus bill is far more complicated. It traverses wide ground, from the treatment of casuals and changes to enterprise bargaining to stronger penalties for wage theft and underpayment. The bill won’t be voted on until February or March 2021, and politically there is much at stake for the Coalition – with the WorkChoices debacle still fresh in the minds of many – and Labor, which is flagging in the polls and hoping IR might offer it a boost in traditionally strong terrain.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

James Ross/AAP

Grattan on Friday: Who would have thought John Setka could be such a unifying force?

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

If we remain relatively virus-free, politics in 2021 should become more normal than in 2020. And that will affect strategies on both sides.

Mick Tsikas/AAP

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Senators have granted a two-year extension to a program for which there is little supporting evidence.

AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

3 reasons meeting climate targets and dumping Kyoto credits won’t salvage Australia’s international reputation

Matt McDonald, The University of Queensland

If Scott Morrison announces he'll scrap the controversial Kyoto carryover credits tomorrow, our international counterparts will still regard Australia as a climate change laggard.

Shutterstock

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Rebecca Rockett, University of Sydney; Alicia Arnott, University of Sydney; Fabienne Brilot-Turville, University of Sydney

Compared with other RNA viruses, the coronavirus is actually quite stable. So don't believe the scary headlines about the 'mutant coronavirus'.

Des Willie Netflix

Friday essay: the hidden agenda of royal experts circling The Crown series 4

Giselle Bastin, Flinders University

The chorus of disapproving voices declaiming The Crown's approach to royal storytelling are angling for the biographers' holy grail and seeking to protect their own lucrative market share.

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