Fed: Rudd challenges PM to debate on IR

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2007
Fed: Rudd challenges PM to debate on IR

CANBERRA, Aug 29 AAP - Labor leader Kevin Rudd has challenged the prime minister to
a debate on industrial relations.

Mr Rudd yesterday outlined the second instalment of his industrial relations policy
and reiterated a determination to phase out Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs).

Today, Mr Rudd said he wanted to challenge Prime Minister John Howard in a public debate
on workplace laws.

"Let's have a debate on industrial relations, let's have it now - himself, myself -
let's get to it," the opposition leader told ABC radio.

"I'm quite prepared to debate uphill, down low, every level of detail our approach
for an alternative industrial relations system as opposed to his."

He said the debate should be public, but he did not care what medium was used.

"I challenge Mr Howard to debate on television, on radio, on YouTube, wherever he wants
to have a debate."

Mr Rudd said it was clear the Australian public was screaming for a new industrial
relations policy.

"I think the mood of the Australian country is they want to draw a line in the sand
because they all know that Mr Howard's unfair industrial relations laws went too far because
he got drunk with power after the last election when he got control of the senate."

AAP kc/jm/jlw

KEYWORD: WORKPLACE DEBATE

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.