Trade union says change in Liberal leadership won't change 'anti-worker agenda'

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has released a statement, saying that no matter who leads the Liberal party, it is still a government that has let down the country through attacks on standards of living.

Earlier today Malcolm Turnbull announced he had stepped down as Communications Minister and had announced to Prime Minister Tony Abbott that he was challenging him for Liberal party leadership.

The ACTU said that Mr Turnbull stood beside Mr Abbott for two years, in which time unemployment rose, and wages and conditions of some of the lowest-paid Australians were targeted.

"A change in the Liberal leadership won't change their anti-worker agenda," ACTU President Ged Kearney said.

"Malcolm Turnbull stood by Tony Abbott through a disastrous two years in Government, trying to separate himself now is completely disingenuous and amounts to a desperate bid to avoid the slippery downward slope they are on."

Ms Kearney said Mr Turnbull supported his party's cuts to penalty rates, the minimum wage, rights at work and selling out of Australian jobs.

"Most concerning is Malcolm Turnbull's claim that he wants to go back to the style of Government Australia experienced under John Howard - the government that delivered WorkChoices," she said.