The Productivity Commission has rebuffed criticism of its interim report into the GST carve-up, saying the comments have crossed a line.
Follow all the updates in our live blog.Ā
Choose what information you see below by using filters
The transport union is demanding Aldi and other supermarkets be held accountable for alleged illegal truck contracting in their supply chains, claiming workers are being stripped of their rights while delivering goods to retailers who wilfully turn a blind eye.
Union officials and the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organization have lodged an application with the Fair Work Commission seeking to force major retailers to audit the contracts they hold with transport companies.
The push comes amid a crackdown by the Australian Taxation Office on so-called sham contracting, a practice in which workers are falsely classified as contractors, denying them entitlements including workers' compensation and superannuation.
The union claims the practice gives trucking companies an unfair cost advantage, allowing them to cut wages and offer retailers transport at a much cheaper rate.
They're turning an accusatory finger to supermarket giant Aldi, which they say has refused to engage in talks about safe supply chains and regularly contracts companies known to have used sham contracting.
"Sham contracting is an illegal and reprehensible scourge on the transport industry, and it is time wealthy transport clients were held accountable for stamping it out," TWU secretary Michael Kaine says.
Treasurer Jim ChalmersĀ has backed the Productivity Commission following criticism of its interim report into GST carve-up.
In comments first reported by the Australian Financial Review, Chalmers says he respects the institution and its people.
The treasurer did not elaborate on the contents of the Productivity Commission's interim report but said he respected its work.
"The PC is a really important institution full of good people. I respect their role and their work," Chalmers says.
"We expect some of their conclusions to be contested from time to time, and that's why we always encourage genuine and constructive engagement with stakeholders of all kinds."
Following the release of the interim report, WA Premier Roger Cook dismissed the commission as "east coast clowns" and criticised the report a "dodgy, deceitful and, quite frankly, dumb".
