Tony Abbott has confirmed his plan to “reform” Australia’s labour market and must now provide the details of his industrial relations policy to Australian workers, Minister for Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans said today.

In an address to the conservative think tank Policy Exchange in London, Tony Abbott said the Liberal Party had a six point economic plan which included ‘labour market reform’.

“Australians deserve to know what Tony Abbott’s reforms will mean for their workplaces,” Senator Evans said.

“Will he change unfair dismissal laws?

“Will he stop workers being able to negotiate over job security?

“Will he return to individual contracts and abolish the safety net?

“The Liberal Party has form when it comes to stripping away workers’ rights and working Australians deserve to know exactly what Mr Abbott is planning.

“When the Liberals talk about reform it is simply code for a return to WorkChoices.”

Senator Evans said Liberal Party ideologues continued to campaign to wind back the protections for working people which Labor introduced in the Fair Work Act.

“The Gillard Government will hold its ground when it comes to protecting the rights of working men and women,” Senator Evans said.

“We have restored balance and fairness to Australian workplaces.

“We are leading the way in the bid to close the long standing pay gap between men and women by committing more than $2 billion to help deliver an historic pay rise for

Community sector workers.

“Australians know what the Labor Government stands for when it comes to industrial relations.

“It’s now time for Tony Abbott to be up front with working men and women and provide details of what he is planning to do to Australians workplaces.”