Depute Prime Minister Julia Gillard made a big push for single national systems for industrial relations and for occupational health and safety at a Perth breakfast this morning.
Ms Gillard, the keynote speaker at The West Australian Leadership Matters business breakfast, said it was unnecessary and expensive to have so many different pieces of legislation covering the same issues.
VIDEO: Leadership Matters: Julia Gillard
The WA State Government is holding out on joining either proposed national system.
Ms Gillard also said she supported free travel for former long serving MPs, she said the matter was regularly reviewed by independent tribunals and was confident tribunals made the right decision.
Speaking on radio, Ms Gillard said Iraq still faces major security challenges as Australian troops prepare to withdraw from the strife-torn nation.
Ms Gillard made a surprise visit to Baghdad at the end of her Middle East tour last week, when she signed a number of commercial agreements and met the diggers who are due to leave Iraq by the end of the month.
Ms Gillard admits the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces won't be a smooth transition for Iraqi authorities.
"There are clearly still major challenges in the security environment in Iraq," she told Fairfax Radio Network on Thursday.
The United States has begun withdrawing troops from cities and towns ahead of plans to withdraw 12,000 soldiers from Iraq by September.
PERTH KIM MACDONALD AND AAP
