Fair Work gig is jobs for boys: coalition

THE federal coalition has accused Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten of handing out jobs for the boys after the appointment of former ACTU secretary Jeff Lawrence to the Fair Work Commission.

Mr Shorten on Thursday announced eight new appointments to the national workplace relations tribunal, including Mr Lawrence as a deputy president.

Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz said the appointment of Mr Lawrence, who stood down as ACTU secretary last year, confirmed the government's "jobs for Labor's mates network is alive and well".

"It was always very curious that Mr Lawrence silently stepped away from his plum job at the ACTU but now we know why," Senator Abetz said in a statement.

"Labor promised they would not appoint an endless tribe of trade union bosses to the commission, but it seems that's exactly what we've got."

Mr Shorten said the eight appointments had followed an independent merit-based selection process, in consultation with Senator Abetz and the states and territories.

The new faces at the commission include Law Council of Australia President Joe Catanzariti and industrial relations lawyer Adam Hatcher, SC, both appointed vice presidents.

Four new deputy presidents were named - Mr Lawrence, workplace relations lawyer Val Gostencnik, and Fair Work Commissioners Anne Gooley and Ingrid Asbury.

Two new commissioners were also appointed, Fair Work Ombudsman Nick Wilson and Leigh Johns, who is chief executive of the government's Fair Work Building and Construction agency.

"I am confident these appointments will further enhance the experience, integrity and balance of the commission," Mr Shorten said in a statement.

Business group the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) complained that candidates from industry had been overlooked by the government.

"That the government could not appoint one person of the eight from an active current role in industry or from amongst employer bodies is disrespectful to the private sector," chief executive Peter Anderson said in a statement.

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NT 'bush coalition' members promoted

THREE members of the so-called "bush coalition" that offered key support to Northern Territory Chief Minister Terry Mills during a leadership challenge last week have been given promotions.

In a late night media release on Sunday, Mr Mills announced that Bess Price, one of four MPs in a rural faction who represent key seats won by the Country Liberal Party (CLP) at last year's election, had been appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Education.

Another of the group, Larisa Lee, will offer support to Indigenous Advancement Minister Alison Anderson, who is also a member of the bush faction.

Another member of the group - Francis Xavier - has been handed the job of Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Alcohol policy.

Rural MP Gary Higgins, although not part of the group of four, will assist Deputy Chief Minister Willem Westra Van Holthe in the primary industry and fisheries portfolio, as well as land resource management.

It emerged last week that during a marathon sitting of CLP's parliamentarians, Transport Minister Adam Giles made a bid to seize the leadership of the NT from Mr Mills.

But Mr Giles' efforts failed after the four MPs in the "bush coalition" threatened to leave the party if he was successful.

Such a move would have eroded the CLP's big majority in the 25-seat parliament and could have led to the party losing power.

Ms Anderson later said while a faction of rural MPs did work together, they had no intention of bringing down the government.

Mr Mills on Monday was in Japan for meetings and unavailable to comment on the latest appointments.

"This is an important elevation of responsibility for the members and an opportunity for them to assist ministers with their portfolio duties," Mr Mills said in Sunday's statement.

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