Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to support the motion moved by the hardworking member for Spence in relation to the Fair Work Commission's annual wage review handed down during 2024. I'm incredibly disappointed to hear those opposite being so negative and personally attacking the member for Spence for his motion. I have been in this chamber on a number of occasions and been very respectful and understanding of people's views, and I was very disappointed to hear that comment about the member for Spence. It's just not acceptable.

To begin, the Fair Work Commission, Australia's independent workplace relations tribunal, conducts an annual review to determine whether there should be an adjustment to the minimum wage rate and modern award minimum wage. This year's decision is particularly noteworthy given the economic challenges and uncertainties that we have been facing, including the post-pandemic recovery, inflationary pressures and global economic fluctuations. The 2024 decision means that 2.6 million low-paid workers on awards or the minimum wage will receive a pay rise of 3.75 per cent from 1 July 2024. That's not difficult to understand. Full-time workers on the minimum wage will receive an extra $33.10 per week or $1,721 per year.

Since the election of the Albanese Labor government the minimum wage has increased by $143.30 per week, or approximately $7,450 per year, which will mean a lot to those families. This government has delivered on its commitment for our people to earn more and keep more of what they earn. We're also delivering cost-of-living relief without adding to inflation, with inflation having been almost halved since the Albanese Labor government came to office. This is incredibly important.

Our recent budget provided a tax cut for every Australian taxpayer and more help with energy bills, rent and the cost of medicines. All 13.6 million Australian taxpayers will get a tax cut. In Western Australia the combined state and federal energy bill relief for Pearce households is $700. Across Australia, energy relief of $325 is available for one million small businesses. We have increased Commonwealth rent assistance for nearly one million households. We have provided up to $3 billion to make medicines cheaper, freezing the maximum cost of PBS prescriptions for everyone—a decision that is proving to be incredibly popular in my electorate. We have waived almost $3 billion in student debt, helping more than three million, mostly younger, Australians. We want a fairer deal for consumers at the supermarket checkout, superannuation to be paid on paid parental leave, more funding for emergency, food relief and financial support services and provisioning for higher wages for aged-care and childcare workers. We have also extended the freeze on deeming rates for 876,000 income support recipients.

The commission's decision reflects the need to support equitable wage growth and recognises the importance of ensuring that all workers benefit from economic progress and that wage disparity does not widen any further. But it appears that those opposite still cling to outdated views on wages policy, something that was very apparent at the start of this motion with the negative comments that were made. My mum always used to say to me, 'The truth hurts,' and clearly that is the case with those opposite.

It is not surprising to learn about the plans that the opposition revealed, in which they want Australians to work longer for less, and that is totally unacceptable. The Albanese Labor government has a budget that is responsible and restrained, that eases cost-of-living pressures and that invests in a future made in Australia. It is a budget that will build more homes for Australians, reform our universities, strengthen Medicare and the care economy and broaden opportunities in our society. I firmly believe that the commission's decision and the actions taken by our government reflect the need to support equitable wage growth so that all workers benefit from economic progress and that wage disparity does not widen further. Those workers, during the pandemic, gave everything they had to support our country. They did so willingly and they did it well. They were effective. So they should not be underestimated in what they can achieve, and they deserve the support of our government.

I stated earlier that the Albanese Labor government is delivering on its commitment for Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn, whilst easing cost-of-living pressures and investing in our future, right around the country. I would like to reiterate my support for the motion provided by the member for Spence.

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