& Clock Ticking .......................

Fair Work Australia's arbitration on Public Service wages commenced before Vice President Michael Lawler.

The matter was listed for Mention & Programming.

A full bench consisting of VP Lawler, Senior Deputy President Jenny Acton, and Commissioner Julius Roe has been constituted.

The parties have next week to exchange documents setting out what is agreed, the matters required to be determined, and any matters the Government wish to raise a jurisdictional objection about.

The arbitration has been re-listed for Tuesday 7 February 2012.

The Government has time to make an acceptable wages offer.