A coalition MP has chosen not to side with his government and block a move by Labor to debate a proposal to stop cuts to penalty rates.
Queensland MP George Christensen abstained from a vote to delay business in parliament's lower house to immediately deal with a private bill to change the Fair Work Act.
The legislation - co-sponsored by Labor, the Greens and crossbench senator Jacqui Lambie - would prevent the Fair Work Commission's decision to reduce penalty rates for workers in retail and hospitality industries from taking effect.
Mr Christensen said while the bill was "deficient", he supported its intent.
That's why he decided not to vote on motion by Labor's employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor's to give the debate on the bill precedence, which was defeated.
He said his vote would not have changed the result.
"Ultimately I would not have supported that bill going forward unamended because it does not fully address the issue of the reduction in penalty rates," Mr Christensen said in a statement.
The outspoken backbencher will be introducing a separate private member's bill on Monday that he believes goes a step further and protects rate cuts negotiated by unions.
Mr O'Connor labelled Mr Christensen "gutless" for not voting.
"If he really supports penalty rates he should have the courage to turn up to the vote and sit with Labor," Mr O'Connor said in a statement.
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