05:47

Workplace relations minister Craig Laundy has spoken to Sky News about Sally McManus’ outing at the National Press Club today.

Laundy – like employer groups Australian Industry Group and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – is particularly exercised about “lies” in the speech about the increasing casualisation of work. He notes casual jobs have been flat at 20% of the workforce for 20 years.

Laundy accused McManus of an “unprecedented attack” on the integrity of the independent industrial umpire the Fair Work Commission, in reference to her claim the Coalition governments had stacked it with employer-friendly members. Laundy called on Bill Shorten to condemn these “slurs”.

Asked if government had made a submission to FWC’s minimum wage review, he said yes but it was not his role to tell the umpire whether to increase the minimum wage or not so he’d just spelled out some economic measures for it to consider.