Fed: AWU attacks appointment of Abetz in Oppn IR role

AAP General News (Australia)
12-08-2009
Fed: AWU attacks appointment of Abetz in Oppn IR role

CANBERRA, Dec 8 AAP - The appointment of Eric Abetz as opposition workplace relations
spokesman is evidence of the coalition's intention to bring back Work Choices, the Australian
Workers' Union (AWU) says.

Senator Abetz has won promotion to the key portfolio at the expense of Michael Keenan
following a reshuffle announced on Tuesday by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

AWU national secretary Paul Howes attacked the appointment, describing Senator Abetz
as a "long-time foot soldier in the campaign to undermine workplace rights in Australia".

"He enrolled in the army of union-haters in his university student days, and he has
never given up the ideological fight," Mr Howes said.

Mr Abbott wanted to see a return to Work Choice-style industrial relations laws in
Australia, he said.

"So, no one should be mistaken. Eric Abetz backs Tony Abbott's dream of reintroducing
large chunks of those hated laws."

AAP kms/sb/cdh

KEYWORD: LIBERALS AWU

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