Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bernardi for his question and acknowledge his commitment to a sustainable Public Service. I can advise him that Commonwealth Public Service wage rises have beaten inflation in nine out of the last 10 years. In 2012, Public Service median wages increased by 5.9 per cent compared to inflation at 2.2 per cent. In 2009, Public Service median wages increased by 6.4 per cent compared to inflation of 2.1 per cent. In fact, over the last decade, Commonwealth public servants have received annual median wage increases totalling 42 per cent, well above CPI increases totalling 28 per cent.

Senator Lines interjecting—