Crossbench senator Bob Day has used his maiden speech to demand sweeping changes to Australia's workplace relations laws, including the abolition of minimum wage limits for young workers.

In comments that will encourage business groups and Coalition backbenchers agitating for industrial relations reform, the Family First MP has told the Senate that the minimum wage is an "absurd" barrier to employment.

It comes a day after Workplace Relations Minister Eric Abetz claimed the government had "neutralised" Labor and the unions' political attacks over workplace relations laws because voters no longer believed the Coalition would reinstitute Work Choices.

Senator Day has been a vocal critic of Australia's workplace laws, which he views as outdated and cumbersome for job seekers who want to negotiate their own terms.