Mr Gee said the amendments aimed at including dates which would ensure the eligibility of financial benefits for Electrolux workers looking for employment, had not be adequately thought through.

“Unfortunately Labor’s bill hasn’t passed muster by Treasury.

“It could blow a hole in the budget of up to $200 million,” Mr Gee said.

Mr Gee was responding to criticism from Labor opposition spokesman on trade and investment Mick Veitch and opposition spokesman for industrial relations Adam Searle, that the government had not progressed the bill to be presented to Parliament and delays would disadvantage employers considering hiring redundant Electrolux employees.

Under the proposed changes by Labor a cut-off date for the government to increase a subsidy to potential employers should be extended.

“The problem with Labor’s amendments to the payroll tax legislation is that it doesn’t discriminate between Electrolux workers and any other worker in NSW,” Mr Gee said.

“Its basically just an extension of the payroll tax rebate scheme for the whole of the state without any specific mention or consideration of Electrolux or Orange.

“It’s a scattergun approach,” Mr Gee said.

During his visit to Orange on Thursday Mr Veitch said in March this year Mr Gee intimated the proposed Labor changes could happen “with the stroke of a pen”.

“By referring to remedy the situation through the stroke of a pen, I was referring to the fact that it is not necessary to amend legislation to help Electrolux workers.

“It can be done by way of changing regulations that doesn’t require any vote or amendments to acts of Parliament and I’m very surprised Labor hasn’t been able to get their heads around this,” Mr Gee said.

Mr Gee said for the last few months he has been working with treasury and Leader of the Legislative Council Duncan Gay to find a way to help Electrolux workers.