Libs urge action on workplace reform

SYDNEY (AAP) - July 01 - Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the coalition will not be rushed into releasing its workplace relations policy, which will only be done once the "field evidence" is in.
Former Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull on Friday weighed into the debate over a new coalition policy, saying the rollback of Work Choices by Labor was damaging small business.
The Rudd Labor government abolished the Howard government's controversial workplace relations laws, replacing them with the Fair Work Act.
The battle over the Liberal Party presidency, which ended in Alan Stockdale beating former workplace relations minister Peter Reith, revealed rifts over how far the party should go in reforming industrial laws.
While some Liberals advocate policy settings similar to Work Choices, others argue voters will turn away from the party if they take such a stance.
Mr Turnbull said he welcomed the renewed debate in the party, because business and industry felt Labor's system was not working.
"Work Choices roll-back having been successful with the advent of the Labor government, we are starting to see small business saying `This is really costing us and it is providing a very big disincentive for us to hire people'," Mr Turnbull told ABC radio.
"So I think we will have ... it's not a question of Peter Reith or anybody else ... a discussion about labour market flexibility."
Mr Abbott said in a Melbourne speech he would have more to say about the issue "once the field evidence is in".
"As long as we are in opposition ... our most constructive contribution to public debate is to establish beyond doubt that the current government is a threat to our prosperity and that the current government's so-called reforms are no such thing," Mr Abbott said.
Earlier, Mr Abbott laughed off suggestions that Mr Turnbull, who has recently shed weight through a diet and fitness regime, might be in training for a leadership attempt.
"If he wants to join me in next year's iron man, I'd look forward to his company," Mr Abbott told the Nine Network.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard, visiting her electorate in Melbourne to spruik changes to parenting leave starting on July 1, said the one thing that united the Liberals was Work Choices.
"It's just half of them want to tell you that they do and the other half don't want to tell you," she said.
"Tony Abbott's not sure which half he's in."
A senior Liberal source said he had seen draft policies on a range of issues, including workplace relations.
"The state of preparation is better than I thought," he told AAP.
"There's going to be a lot of interesting stuff to come out of the party over the next little while."