Senate scrutiny for worker fund proposal

A revived federal government proposal to regulate worker entitlement funds is set to be scrutinised after passing the first hurdle of parliament.

Labor argues the proposal - which now heads to a Senate inquiry - is simply an attack on unions, and opposed the draft laws that breezed through the lower house with the coalition's majority on Tuesday.

Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter argues the bill will ensure the $2 billion held in such funds are managed responsibly, transparently and in the best interests of workers.

The Senate standing committee on education and employment will hold public hearings on the bill in Canberra on Thursday and Brisbane on Friday.

A handful of other hearings are pencilled in later this month.

The coalition originally introduced the legislation to parliament in 2017 but it lapsed at the recent election.

Labor MP Mike Freelander said it was in the coalition's DNA to attack workers and unions.

"I'm a unionist because I'm a father, and a husband, and grandparent," he told the chamber during debate on the bill.

"I want my children and my grandchildren to be protected and safe at work and not taken advantage of."