Trade Minister Andrew Robb has accused the Electrical Trades Union of trying to create a distraction with its complaints over the free trade agreement with China.
The union has raised concerns the recently-signed FTA scraps skill testing for Chinese workers that could result in deaths.
Union boss Allen Hicks says electrical trades are stringently licensed for one very simple reason: "They are extremely dangerous."
"If we stop assessing the skills of overseas workers and just start handing licences around, it's not a matter of if, but when, somebody is killed."
But Mr Robb says the union is trying to create a distraction to the royal commission into trade unions.
It also wanted to increase membership and unsettle marginal seats ahead of the election campaign.
"They have got another agenda," he told Sky News while on an official trip to Singapore with Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
"It's nothing to do with the truth. It's got nothing to do with the China agreement, which I'm sure that don't understand."
Mr Robb said the government would not change the provisions in the deal "one wit".
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten acknowledged that while there were some very good aspects to the China FTA, allowing people to work with inadequate training could make it unsafe for workers and Australian consumers.
It was most important the agreement was scrutinised by parliament.
"I want the government to come clean on potential downside for Australian jobs and Australian safety and labour standards," he told reporters in Melbourne.
The ETU is convening an urgent meeting on Tuesday to develop a national campaign to push back against the agreement.
The ALP national conference at the end of July will also discuss the issue.
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