Opposition leader Brendan Nelson has announced the Liberal Party will abandon its WorkChoices laws, declaring the legislation ‘dead’.

Dr Nelson declared that the federal coalition had abandoned support for WorkChoices, saying that they had listened to the message from people at the federal election.

AMWU National Secretary, Dave Oliver said that working families would welcome the move.

“I am pleased to hear that Dr Nelson says he will respect the wishes of the Australian people, but the real test will be what they do when the new Labor Government’s laws come before the Senate early next year.”

“We need to get these laws brought in as quickly as possible. WorkChoices is still in operation, and right now, workers still don’t have the protection that WorkChoices took away from them.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Workplace Relations Minister Julia Gillard has made a commitment that unfair dismissal legislation is being drafted for tabling in the Parliament next year along with other legislation that will scrap WorkChoices and establish a fair and balanced IR system.

Ms Gillard indicated that it would be up to the Coalition to be cooperative and pass the bill in the Senate.

She also stated that unions and business will be consulted to ensure that the new laws are balanced.

This position is in stark contrast to the haste with which the Howard Government’s pushed WorkChoices through Parliament back in 2005

Mr Oliver said while he understood that the government had to go through a consultation process, the party had to deliver on its promise to get rid of WorkChoices which was at the centre of their campaign.

“The union movement is happy to negotiate on the detail, but the Federal Government must not delay its core promise.

“Restoring job security through having unfair dismissal protection is a vital first step,” he said.