Labor has defended Australia's workplace relations system as balanced and fair despite claims rigid workers entitlements were a key reason for Toyota pulling out of the country.
The Abbott government reportedly was told in December the key impediment to the company staying in Australia was the workplace conditions at its Melbourne plant.
Toyota's Australian president told Treasurer Joe Hockey he could persuade his Tokyo headquarters to stay in Australia as long as it could pare back the conditions, which the company argued were hampering productivity, the Australian Financial Review said.
Among the entitlements they wanted changed were the "Christmas shutdown" period of 21 days, paid "wash-up time" and leave for giving blood.
Labor's Amanda Rishworth accused Tony Abbott and Mr Hockey of blaming workers for Toyota closing its plant in 2017.
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"These workers negotiated in good faith," she told reporters in Canberra.
Ms Rishworth said Labor had created a balanced workplace system in Australia, after the Howard government swung the pendulum too far in favour of employers.
"Labor in government brought this pendulum back to the centre," she said.
"I think it is the right balance."
