The Fair Work Ombudsman, when considering 33 cases involving claims of underpayment among coal miners, stated that it was using an Enterprise Agreement (EA) as the base document. This EA is being challenged as invalid and void due to alleged fundamental deficiencies and fraud. The EA pays less than what comparable workers receive under the Award. I challenged the Ombudsman’s office for betraying workers who were clearly being exploited by their employers, in collusion with the CFMEU. This exploi

During the December 2025 Senate Estimates session with the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), I asked about progress on addressing the issue of stolen miners’ wages. Mr Steve Ronson, representing the FWO, advised that 33 complaints are currently being looked at, and that preliminary findings are close to completion. These findings will enable the parties involved to review their positions and make further submissions if they choose. He also noted that three companies have now self-reported instances of