The Liberal Party has stated in black and white in its new workplace policy that it plans to bring back individual contracts, Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten says.
Mr Shorten says a detailed reading of the policy, which was released on Thursday, reveals a plan to extend the use of individual flexibility agreements and turn them into individual contracts under another name.
"The Liberal Party has said on page 27 of its policy yesterday... that individual arrangements will not be restricted to existing enterprise agreements.
They will not be constrained by existing enterprise agreements," he told reporters in Melbourne on Friday.
"Individual contracts are back if Tony Abbott gets elected." Mr Shorten said the Liberal Party also planned to allow employers to pay workers less but give them merchandise and food to make up the difference.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
He said the Liberals should not be allowed to return to WorkChoices.
Mr Shorten, who spoke to reporters for more than 10 minutes without taking a question, denied his comments were desperate words from a government desperate to hold on to power.
"What they are is the truth about workplace relations," he said.
