The Albanese government’s newly appointed Fair Work Ombudsman will take a more “cooperative and collaborative” approach in fighting wage theft, potentially signalling a shift in strategy that could better engage business.

Anna Booth, a former Fair Work Commission deputy president, corporate board director and union leader who took up the workplace watchdog role last month, said she does not have a “plan” or “vision” at this stage but “I do have a set of tendencies”.