from the ABC …..

Labor hypocrisy on IR exposed, says PM

The Prime Minister has used Question Time to accuse the Opposition of hypocrisy on industrial relations (IR).

John Howard has pointed to Labor's recent criticism of a small business in New South Wales for allegedly stripping workers of entitlements.

It came the day before it was revealed the wife of the Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd had underpaid workers in her multi-million dollar company.

Mr Howard says there is a stark contrast between how the ALP viewed the two cases.

"We've heard a lot, Mr Speaker, over the past few days about a lot of things," he said.....

Earlier, Mr Rudd said he hoped there would not be a witch-hunt into the business interests of other federal politicians' spouses.

Mr Rudd's wife Therese Rein is selling her Australian business interests after revelations her company underpaid some workers.

"I sincerely hope that the debate concerning Therese doesn't result in some sort of broader witch-hunt," Mr Rudd said.

"There was some discussion this morning about Tony Abbott's wife. Each person's circumstances are different so let's just be pretty measured about all this."