Companies like Uber and Airtasker have transformed the so-called ‘gig economy’ by hiring thousands of workers as independent contractors, rather than employees.

But this practice has a downside - workers aren’t guaranteed basic rights like a minimum wage, superannuation or leave.

It’s a model that is spreading across the Australian economy, removing more and more workers from traditional safety-nets.

Recently, two workers pushed back against this model of employment and took their case all the way to the High Court. The court’s decision could fundamentally change the nature of employee-employer relationships for everyone in Australia.

Today, journalist Kieran Pender on the landmark high court decision, and the future of work in Australia. 

Guest: Lawyer and contributor to The Saturday Paper Kieran Pender.

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