Cleaning is hard, dirty work. From 7am in the morning, every day of the week I'm at work making sure the public housing estate I work at is clean and healthy for families who live there. I work long hours, I sometimes give up my weekends and make sacrifices every day to make sure I can pay the bills, but I’m still going backwards. It used to be that we worked hard, and we could live a good life. But that reality has been snatched away as our wages go backwards and our voice at work is silenced. We have to change the rules so we can all have a job we can count on, and a wage we can live on.

The Fairwork Commission is undergoing a review that focuses on swim teachers pay for the industry. Most of the swimming instructors we work with will train for anywhere between 6 and 12 months. The process to become a swimming teacher is quite long and arduous. We do internal train, we do training courses we must have Working with Children and CPR certifications. We would cover these requirements over the 6 – 12 month period. During this time, however, we would at times still be required to teach classes generally due to the lack of teachers on a given shift. So, there we are, teaching kids to swim but technically still a ‘trainee’ and being paid that way. Given their way employers want this sort of practice to be written into the Fitness Industry Award by having a ‘trainee swim teacher’ role at level one. Given that the words ‘swim teacher’ don’t come into the Award until level 3, this would blur the lines terribly for new swimming teachers coming into the industry. We want to make a difference. We want to change the rules, so they support young workers not exploit them. We would really appreciate your support!

Australian Unions call on the Australian Government and Minister Kelly O'Dwyer to actively support the development of, and ratify once adopted, the new ILO Convention aimed at preventing violence and harassment in the world at work, including sexual harassment. We need to send a message that we won’t tolerate workplace gender violence: Not here, not anywhere. Sign the petition

At a dinner ahead of the G20 leaders' summit is Osaka, Scott Morrison made a formal invitation to Donald Trump to travel to Australia for The Presidents Cup golf tournament. Trump hasn't yet confirmed if he'll come or not, but he said: "I’ll tell you what, I’d like to. That’s a big deal. That’s going to be great." We have to stop him. Trump's racism, sexism and homophobia have dangerously emboldened a violent far-right both in Australia and abroad. Years ago, Australia made a peaceful, bipartisan decision to introduce gun controls, making our country safer for all. Trump's presence in Australia is anathema to our most cherished shared values, and would only create unnecessary tension and hostility here. He should not be afforded or extended an official state visit. #noTrumpinOz

Queenslanders expect better. When $1.6bn in taxpayer funds is being spent, Queenslanders should be able to expect a decent, safe workplace, and the highest standard of construction. The way that the Second Range Crossing is currently being built, it's only a matter of time before someone is killed. Queenslanders won't wait for that to happen. We want action now.

After the threatening caption "You gotta ask yourself, do you feel lucky, greenie punks? " with the image of George Christensen aiming a handgun. As per the Queensland firearms licence conditions, you are to be a fit and proper person, which stipulates that the person is Not fit and proper if within the last 5 years; the use or threatened use of violence. After this depiction as described above, the enacting, and invoking violence towards members of the public who are of "greenie" values or actions this is to be accounted as George Christensen to be found no longer a fit and proper person to be in possession of a firearms licence, and permits to own firearms.

Our school is vibrant and diverse. Our kids come from so many different backgrounds - over 50% speak a language other than English at home and around 8% are Aboriginal. The majority of our kids come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds but they deserve excellent classrooms and playgrounds as much as kids who are lucky enough to live in more affluent circumstances. It’s not fair that our kids have to learn in classrooms that leak when it rains, are hot in summer and freezing in winter, and which are falling apart. Other schools in neighbouring suburbs have received millions of dollars to fix and rebuild classrooms but Reservoir East Primary keeps missing out. All kids, including ours, deserve a safe and healthy school to learn, play and thrive in. Help us fix Reservoir East Primary!

PARSA provides students with information, advice and support to those relocating to Canberra, and offers emergency accommodation grants to students who require temporary accommodation due to unforeseen circumstances. However, the association’s funds are limited, and should only be relied upon as a last resort for our members. The results of the PARSA Accommodation Survey demonstrate the need for the ANU to acknowledge and respond to the concerns raised with prompt and meaningful action.

At only $269 per week, Newstart is $177 per week below the poverty line. It is less than 41 percent of the minimum wage, less than 18 percent of the average wage, and has not been raised in real terms for 23 years. Even the Business Council of Australia has advocated to the government that the low rate of Newstart presents a barrier to employment and risks entrenching poverty. Increasing Newstart would benefit local economies, by increasing the spending power of those on low incomes, whose extra funds would circulate through local businesses. Given that the average time spent on Newstart is more than four years, Newstart has become a one-way ticket to poverty for many unemployed people. Its time to raise it.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s 'Change the Course' report found that in 2015/16 51% of students surveyed reported that they had been sexually harassed at University and 9% of students surveyed reported that they had been sexually assaulted at University. The report also found that Women Students, Queer Students, Trans Students, Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Students, Students of Colour and Students with Disabilities are more likely to be sexually harassed or assaulted than any other student. But perhaps the most alarming figures to emerge from this report is that 68% of students who had experienced sexual harassment at university and 40% of students who had been sexually assaulted on campus DID NOT report the incident to the university because they didn't think it would be considered serious enough. "I didn't think they would believe me. I thought they would think I made it all up" - (Student, 21) Universities have no reason for inaction. Students will not be silent - It’s time to end sexual violence

The LNP Government - with the support of One Nation - has introduced a new Building Code that aims to destroy unions and workers' rights on construction sites by banning all union slogans and materials like stickers, flags and symbols on clothing. The new code bans "images generally attributed to, or associated with an organisation, such as the iconic symbol of the five white stars on the Eureka Stockade Flag." It also bans "mottos" and union names, symbols, "signs, markings or indications. " It is an important part of Australia's history. Banning union motto’s, stickers and images, including the Eureka flag, is unAustralian..

Workers at Ridley Agri want to negotiate their wages and conditions collectively because they don't want anyone left behind. They want fair wages for their work. They also want their precious time away from work – time spent with their families and community – to be respected. Ian Fairbairn, please step in to get these simple rights in place.