Australian employers who deliberately underpay workers to face million-dollar fines or up to 10 years in jail

Workplace relations minister Tony Burke says he is ‘surprised’ move to close loopholes has been controversial

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Workplace relations minister Tony Burke has said sending employers to jail for wage theft is a loophole that needs to close, adding he is surprised it has been controversial.

The minister also has hit back again at industry critics warning the laws promising to improve conditions for gig workers will make services more expensive.

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