FEDERAL Labor will today try to land another blow to the Newman Government, by outlawing gag clauses in government deals with the not-for-profit sector.

The announcement comes just weeks after Queensland Health Minister Lawrence Springborg began tying financial grants to advocacy limitations.

"The past few weeks in Queensland have reminded us of the dark days of the last Coalition government, when John Howard . . . diminished (the NFP sector's) capacity to represent and advocate for its members," Federal Minister for Social Inclusion Mark Butler said.

Last month, Queensland Health began using a clause which prohibited non-profit groups from agitating for law changes if their group receives half or more of its funding from QH or other state agencies.

The clause, condemned by unions, prohibits NFPs from linking from their website to other organisations that push for law changes.

Uniting Care national director Lin Hatfield-Dodds said Australia could not have NFPs afraid of speaking out because they might lose funding.

Originally published as Labor vows to put dent in gag laws