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

Thank you, Senator Stewart. Well, it's pretty straightforward. The Albanese Labor government is fighting for a pay rise for our low paid workers because it's the right thing to do for people who have been hit hardest by the rising cost of living.

But it is becoming increasingly clear with every passing day that the coalition have a different approach. Get this—talk about Sherlock Holmes!—Senator Hume told Sky News that the Labor government wants minimum wages to go higher as a cost-of-living measure. Senator Hume is onto us! She has worked it out! She has worked out that a Labor government wants minimum wages to go higher as a cost-of-living measure. Well done, Senator Hume. You might earn yourself a mug as a reward for working that out.

We have also seen the member for New England, Mr Joyce, who, in his latest comeback tour to become the leader of the rabble of the National Party, is out there every week telling Sunrise that arguing for a real pay increase for low paid workers is 'window-dressing'. We know that's the way to get votes in the National Party room— (Time expired)