Libs at war over Work Choices: Gillard

The federal government turned to ridicule in parliament on Wednesday as it attempted
to portray the opposition as remaining divided over the dumping of Work Choices.

But the opposition for a second day sought a guarantee in parliament that the new
Fair Work laws will not lead to job losses, a tactic Labor used against John Howard
when Work Choices was introduced in 2005.

Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard seized on the opposition party room's
decision on Tuesday to seek amendments to the bill but keep its powder dry on
whether it will block the legislation if the amendments fail.
Ms Gillard said the Liberals "went to war" over Work Choices on Tuesday and that
recently demoted South Australian Senator Cory Bernardi had been the only "honest
man in the Liberal Party".
"Today, the one honest man in the Liberal Party, Cory Bernardi, said this: If we
can't fix the legislation we are right to vote against it," Ms Gillard said.
Opposition small business spokesman Steven Ciobo later said a related industrial
change, the modernisation of awards, would push up costs for small retailers by
merging hundreds of small retail sector awards.
"How much more evidence does Kevin Rudd and Labor need to admit to Australians its
IR reforms will lead to significant job losses," Mr Ciobo said.
"More than one in two small retailers, who employ 1.5 million people, will shed
staff under the new modern retail award as it will push small business costs up
affecting their cash flow."
Behind the scenes, Ms Gillard continued her negotiations with senators Nick Xenophon
and Steve Fielding, and the Greens.
The government aims to have the bill through parliament by the end of next week but
is yet to bed down concerns raised by the cross bench senators.
Ms Gillard said late on Wednesday she would introduce a series of "technical"
amendments next week which addressed issues raised in the Senate inquiry.
"The government is committed to the Fair Work Bill which abolishes Work Choices and
implements the fair and balanced policy taken to the last election," Ms Gillard
said.
She said she had written to opposition workplace spokesman Michael Keenan on Monday
outlining the government amendments but had not received a response.
Mr Keenan told AAP on Wednesday night that the government was not interested in
holding talks with the opposition.
"She's made it quite clear she's not remotely interested in talking to us," Mr
Keenan said.
Senator Fielding unveiled his own amendments aimed at restricting union rights of
entry into workplaces including and exemption for businesses with less than 20
employees.
Senator Xenophon, who was taken ill with a virus and flew home to Adelaide to rest,
is seeking changes to unfair dismissal laws affecting small business, union rights
of entry and protection for outworkers in clothing sweatshops.
Debate on the bill was adjourned early on Wednesday and will resume next week.
Ms Gillard's office plans to brief the independents and the Greens on the amendments
later this week.