Tony Abbott has again showed today that he cannot be trusted by working Australians by refusing to release a detailed industrial relations policy before people vote.
In his final major media conference today, Mr Abbott again ducked and weaved when asked about his industrial relations policy, said ACTU President Ged Kearney.
Ms Kearney said in the absence of a detailed policy, working Australians can only assume that the Liberals will wind back protections from unfair dismissal, reintroduce individual contracts and cut minimum standards in awards such as penalty rates.
“The Liberals’ refusal to release a policy shows arrogance and contempt for ordinary people who are genuinely afraid about what could happen to their jobs, pay and conditions under a Coalition Government,” Ms Kearney said.
“It means they will reintroduce the worst aspects of WorkChoices by the backdoor.
“It is simply not credible that the sum total of the Liberals’ workplace policy amounts to a one page statement.
“And that statement said nothing about Tony Abbott’s public pledges on unfair dismissal, individual contracts and the award safety net.
“Even when given a chance today to reassure Australians that he would not make changes to regulations in the Fair Work Act, Mr Abbott refused.
“In his deceitful behaviour on workplace relations, Mr Abbott has copied the playbook of his political mentor, John Howard, who never told the Australian public in 2004 of his plans for WorkChoices.
“Given their history with WorkChoices, working Australians cannot trust Tony Abbott and the Liberals.
“The Labor Government saved 200,000 jobs during the Global Financial Crisis, and only Labor is able to manage the economy in a way that protects the interests and rights of working Australians.”