Malcolm Turnbull has hailed Senate approval of the government's plan to restore the building industry watchdog as a vital reform that will benefit every Australian family.
At the same time the prime minister took a swipe at Labor, accusing the opposition of being nothing more than apologists for the militancy of the construction union.
"This is a great day for Australian families - this is not union busting, this is economy boosting," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.
"It is backing the rule of law, it is backing Australians to get ahead."
Employment Minister Michaelia Cash, who guided the legislation through the Senate, said the government was restoring law and order to the construction sector.
"Under Labor, with their mates in the CFMEU, this was an industry that was marred by bullying, intimidation and thuggery," she said.
Labor fought passage of the legislation all the way through the parliament, Senator Cash said.
"They continue to put their heads in the sand and deny, despite royal commissions, despite Federal Court judgements, that there is something wrong with the building construction industry," she said.
Mr Turnbull rejected suggestions the concessions the government made to secure passage of the bill meant he was a "hollow man, horse trader".
"We feel pretty good about it, I have to tell you," he said, conceding the negotiations with cross benchers had been "a slog".
"We have always said this is a parliament where we will set out to ensure it works."
Senator Cash dismissed criticism the amendments to the original legislation meant the ABCC was a watchdog without a bite.
"This is all about cultural change within the building and construction sector," she said.
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