House passes IR bill after debate gagged

The House of Representatives has passed the Federal Government's industrial relations (IR) bill after debate on the legislation was gagged.

The Government moved to guillotine the debate, arguing it had been the longest one in the history of the Parliament.

That angered the Opposition; there were more than 20 Labor MPs yet to speak.

The Government's Leader in the House, Tony Abbott, told the Parliament 77 MPs had taken part in the debate over a total period of 24 hours.

"We have had very, very extensive debate," he said.

"I put it to you Mr Speaker how much debate, how much more debate could this bill possibly require?

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