In a speech today titled ‘Introducing Australia’s New Workplace Relations System’, Julia Gillard threw down the gauntlet to the Coalition, arguing the Rudd Government had a mandate to introduce the next wave of legislation to end the previous Work Choices regime.

The Screen Actors Guild continues to insist that it’s still engaged in contract talks with the major studios. However, the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers has denied these assertions. “Negotiations concluded when the producers presented their final offer on June 30, 2008,” the AMPTP said.

Under the Victorian Government’s plans, TAFE students will be able to take out an income-contingent loan — similar to HECS in universities — to pay for their courses. The move is expected to get the backing of the Rudd Government, and is designed to soften the blow of increased fees.

Screen Actors Guild leaders have been sending mixed messages about a possible strike for months. On the one hand, guild administrator Alan Rosenberg and national executive director Doug Allen have proclaimed that SAG doesn’t want to strike, but they’ve also said that a work stoppage remains a weapon in their arsenal.

The Unite for Strength faction, which is trying to displace the Screen Actors Guild’s current board, also said in a statement that it supported the original goals of SAG’s negotiating committee. The current board voted unanimously over the weekend to reject the new-media provisions in the offer from the major studios.