Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Green. Of course, under the former coalition government, there was always a new excuse for why they couldn't deliver a wage increase for workers—'Just wait for low unemployment; if unemployment comes down then wages will go up.' That's what they said. But, of course, unemployment came down and wages were still held down by the coalition government. Then they moved on—'Just wait for productivity increases,' they said. But, of course, they never came under the former coalition government either.

The Leader of the Opposition can stand on shop floors and worksites in outer suburban areas and make all the claims that he wants about being for the battler, but workers know that the Liberals and Nationals are not on their side and never have been on their side. They have only ever been on the side of holding back workers' wages. The coalition said no to Secure Jobs, Better Pay, before they even read the bill. Why did they say no to that? They didn't like the name of the bill, Secure Jobs, Better Pay—'Oh, we better vote no against that straightaway.' But what has occurred since that bill has been passed? Stronger jobs growth and higher wages. We're acting; you're opposing. (Time expired)