'One size fits all' is plan for Australia's new labour laws

CANBERRA - The federal Government favours using its power to override state law to establish a single national workplace relations system.

Employment Minister Kevin Andrews said yesterday such a move would mean the labour relations system would cover between 85 per cent and 90 per cent of Australian employees.

The Government's move to further deregulate labour laws will be fine-tuned during a two-day Cabinet meeting that started in Canberra yesterday.

Prime Minister John Howard has indicated that a priority is further workplace relations reform and a toughening of the welfare system to ensure that everyone capable of working does so.

Economists have said the Government's proposed changes to labour laws could bolster productivity and raise Australia's growth rate.

Canberra's proposed national workplace relations system will take over state systems and is expected to begin in the middle of next year.

Legislation will be introduced to Parliament in August, soon after the Government takes majority control of the Senate upper house in July.

"We have been going through a consultation period ... we now need to go away and draft the legislation," Andrews said.

- NZPA