Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is playing "word games" with his new industrial relations policy, Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard says.
The Coalition has tried to distance itself from workplace laws under the Howard government and has jettisoned the more hardline aspects of the former government's Work Choices regime, according to newspaper reports on Wednesday.
Opposition workplace relations spokesman Eric Abetz has said critical aspects of Work Choices, which proved unpopular with voters, would not be introduced under a Coalition government, The Australian reports.
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.
But on Tuesday, Mr Abbott said employers and workers should have the ability to negotiate individual workplace agreements, an essential component of Work Choices.
And the Australian reports that Senator Abetz has indicated the Coalition would restrict unfair dismissal claims to companies with more than 20 employees.
Ms Gillard has accused Mr Abbott of being misleading.
"Tony Abbott is playing word games, he thinks that if doesn't use the title Work Choices then somehow everybody will be fooled about the contents," she told Fairfax Radio Network on Wednesday.
"Work Choices had two hated elements, two things that Australians really detested in it.
"Number one: Australian Workplace Agreements that could strip the safety net away ... and the other most hated element was that workers did not have unfair dismissal rights.
"So you could be a good worker, a great worker, you've been there five, ten, 15 years and any day you could be dismissed and have absolutely no say, no remedy."
"Mr Abbott and his spokesperson, Senator Abetz, have both verified those things are back."
