The Federal Government has begun rolling out a series of radio and newspaper ads to try to counter a union campaign against planned industrial relations (IR) changes.
The unions have run a TV campaign, detailing concerns they have about how the planned changes will affect workers.
Polling suggests the message has won support in the community.
Apart from full page newspaper ads, denying the union claims, the Government’s message – from today – has also hit the airwaves.
In one of the spots, the man refers to a TV ad, showing a woman being threatened with the sack because she has to look after her children. But, his wife tells him the ad is not true and asks him to pass her the paper.
With sound effects of a newspaper rustling, she replies: “Look, it says here you can’t be fired because of family responsibilities. There it is in black and white.”
A special task force has also been set up to promote the Government’s proposals.
The committee of Coalition backbenchers will be led by MP, Andrew Robb, who hopes the attention on the issue, gained by the unions, will help the Government’s campaign.