ACT school cleaner Htoo Ywai. The union is claiming non-English-speaking workers are being underpaid by their employer. Photo: Rohan Thomson
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The union representing cleaners at ACT public schools has called on Education Minister Joy Burch to terminate the contracts of two companies it claims have underpaid staff, exposed them to unsafe working conditions and pressured them into signing contracts they did not understand.
In a statement of claim expected to be lodged with the Federal Court this week, United Voice alleges Phillips Cleaning Services signed up S'gaw Karen refugees from Myanmar and Thailand with limited or no English to contracts they did not understand.
- ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr has dismissed as "completely impractical" a National Capital Authority suggestion of significantly reducing the direct Floriade plantings in Commonwealth Park.
- The foster owner of three dogs left either dead or critically ill after a suspected baiting desperately hopes police can "locate the scumbag" responsible.
- Malcolm Turnbull has described as "feeble" a growing Labor scare campaign against any GST increase but has nonetheless moved to insulate his government by declaring outright that whatever is agreed, it will not leave the poorest households out of pocket.
- The woman who snapped a photo of customers buying baby formula in bulk at a Woolworths has spoken out, saying 'my blood was boiling for the mothers'
Wake-up call: Socceroos Tim Cahill says Australia must bounce back from a shock loss to Jordan. Photo: Will Russell
Socceroos rising star Tom Rogic has set the stage for a dream homecoming after firing a thunderbolt into the back of the net in Scotland just days before he returns to Canberra for a World Cup qualifier.
But Socceroos veteran Tim Cahill says it's time for the new generation of Australian stars to stand tall and deliver on a more consistent basis after a shock "wake-up call" against Jordan last month.
- Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop spruiked "we're here all week" and Socceroos defender Matt McKay says returning to Canberra is like coming home as the national team attempts to win back fans in the capital.
- Mitchell Starc has been fined nearly $8000 by the International Cricket Council for his wild throw at a New Zealand tailender after copping a public rebuke from captain Steve Smith.
- Canberra Capitals veteran Jess Bibby insists she's almost embarrassed to surpass Lucille Bailie and Rachael Sporn as the league's games record holder on Saturday night.
- The Raiders remains on the hunt for props for next season but Ricky Stuart insisted they'll be "happy with what we've got" if the right opportunity doesn't present itself as the squad convened on Monday for the start of pre-season training.
9.12am: The woman who was in a car which crashed down an embankment near Ginninderra Drive and Florey Drive at Charnwood was taken to Canberra hospital in a stable condition, pending assessment of possible spinal and leg injuries.
8.56am: The earlier crashes at Charnwood and Ngunnawal are all clear.
8.23am: A woman who was in a car which crashed down an embankment near Ginninderra Drive and Florey Drive at Charnwood has also been taken to Canberra hospital.
8.20am: The rider of the motorcycle in an earlier crash at Horse Park Drive and Arrabri Street at Ngunnawal has been taken to Canberra hospital with leg injuries.
8.15am: The single-vehicle motorcycle crash at Horse Park Drive and Arrabri Street at Ngunnawal is almost mopped up. Tow truck on the way.
8.14am: Paramedics are treating the occupants of a vehicle which crashed down an embankment near Ginninderra Drive and Florey Drive at Charnwood. Traffic is not expected to be impacted too much at this stage.
8.11am: Units are on route to a crash on Ginninderra Drive and Florey Drive at Charnwood.
7.38am: Paramedics are on scene at a single-vehicle motorcycle crash at Horse Park Drive and Arrabri Street at Ngunnawal treating a rider. Traffic on Arrabi Drive heading towards Gungahlin is blocked.
7.34am: Watch out for a crash at the intersection of Horse Park Drive and Arrabri Street at Ngunnawal. Emergency services on scene.
If you see any accidents or have any info on the morning commute, let us know whenever it is safe to do so: morningblog@canberratimes.com.au or tweet us @canberratimes
- The silent National Film and Sound Archive will host the Horses of Fukushima, Tehran Taxi and Without You, Without You features as part of the Canberra International Film Festival. No bookings necessary at the NFSA south gallery.
- Canberra Beer Week continues with tap takeovers, beer dinners, beer trivia nights, meet-the-brewer events and brewery events. Find out what's on tonight here.
On the road: Canberra's Uber and taxi services compared on Friday. Photo: Elesa Kurtz
A week after the launch of ride-sharing in Canberra, how does Uber compare with the taxi network and where can passengers get value for money?
On Friday The Canberra Times compared taxi and Uber rides from the city to Canberra Airport, measuring time and fare costs.
Touch or click through for more David Pope
Emma Jayne Peard, and Kasey Tomkins with other childcare workers protesting outside. Photo: Jamila Toderas
For Emma Jayne Peard and her colleagues, the pay rises are few and far between even though they may be wiping hundreds of hands and bottoms.
Today: Partly cloudy. High (70%) chance of showers in the afternoon and evening with a chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Max 30.
Tomorrow: Cloudy. High (80%) chance of showers. Chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds. Min 11, max 21.
