Sam Rae (Hawke, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After a decade of deliberate wage suppression at the hands of the Liberals opposite, the Albanese Labor government is delivering the real wage growth that Australian households need. Last week we saw the fourth consecutive quarter of annual wage growth exceeding four per cent—the first time this has happened in 15 years. In fact, in the nine long dark years of Liberal mismanagement, they were unable to achieve this level of wage growth in a single quarter, let alone four times in a row.

The Albanese Labor government's record on wage growth is no accident. It's the result of deliberate, targeted policy decisions designed to ensure our workers receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. We repeatedly called on the Fair Work Commission to deliver substantial minimum and award wage increases, with the minimum wage increasing by over $7,000 a year since we came to government. We announced a significant pay rise for our aged-care workers. We brought balance back to the bargaining table, empowering workers to get a fairer deal. And just a couple of weeks ago, we announced that the Albanese Labor government would fund a 15 per cent pay rise for early childhood educators and care workers. While the Liberals want people to work longer for less, the Albanese Labor government wants people to earn more and keep more of what they earn.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.