Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government was elected on a clear promise to get Australians' wages moving after a decade of stagnation. As someone who has spent most of their life on the minimum wage, I know how important that fight is.

One of our first actions in government was securing a 5.1 per cent pay rise for minimum wage workers, despite the Liberals claiming that it would harm the economy. Across the economy wages have grown at an average of 3.1 per cent under Labor—nearly double the rate under the Liberals, who suppressed wages and made sure Australians earned less. For full-time minimum wage workers this means an extra $143 in their pockets each week. With Labor's tax cut, the average resident of Holt is also saving $1,320 per year.

While the Liberals remain distracted, Labor is focused on what matters: tackling the cost of living and putting more money in people's pockets. History shows that you can't trust Liberals with your wages. Labor is here to raise incomes and deliver real relief for every Australian in this nation.