L-Plate Minister rolled by Howard

Date: 04 June 2001

Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Arch Bevis said today that the action by Prime Minister Howard in over ruling Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott demonstrates a lack of confidence by the Prime Minister in the minister.

Mr Bevis was commenting on Prime Minister Howard rolling Workplace Relations Minister, Tony Abbott, on the issue of whether to support an application by the Community and Public Sector Union to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission for a safety net award that would provide One.Tel employees with redundancy entitlements.

"It is obvious that the Prime Minister has no confidence in the ability of Tony Abbott to run the Workplace Relations portfolio. Some months ago Tony Abbott referred to himself as an 'L-Plate' Minister - today's decision by the Prime Minister confirms that self-assessment.

"Yesterday Abbott's office was saying there was no need for the government to become involved and as late as this morning, Mr Abbott confirmed that the government would not be sending an advocate to the Commission to intervene.

"Obviously this afternoon the Prime Minister could see which way the wind was blowing and performed yet another backflip over ruling Mr Abbott.

"While Mr Howard's belated intervention is welcome, given the lack of confidence demonstrated by the Prime Minister in Tony Abbott, why should Australian workers feel any different about Mr Abbott's ability?" said Mr Bevis.

For further information

Contact:	David Tansey
Union:	ALP Federal
Phone:	(02) 6277 4518
Contact Mobile:	0416 136 164
Fax:	(02) 6277 8534
Email:	david.tansey@aph.gov.au
WWW:	http://www.alp.org.au

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