Her period as minister finished with the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 election.
After a heated public debate, the Howard government rejected the offer saying it was against the national interest.
The Howard government, before being elected in 1996, had promised significant industrial relations reform.
In this role, she called for the introduction of paid maternity leave, a position rejected by the Howard government.
Some critics accused the Howard government of employing wedge politics.
The Howard government played a leading role in winning the China contract.
The Howard government was unable to implement the scheme before the government's electoral defeat in 2007.
He only held office for 10 months before the Howard Government was turned out of office in an election.
"We've had too much dishonesty from the Howard Government", he said.
In 1996 Howard Government was elected into power promising industrial relations reform.