Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move:

That the Senate notes that—

(a) quarterly and annual wages growth are both now at the lowest level in the history of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Wage Price Index;

(b) the ABS's Wage Price Index rose 0.1% in September quarter 2020 and rose 1.4% through the year to the September quarter 2020;

(c) ABS Wage Price Index data has shown that through the year wages growth has been below 3% since 2014;

(d) the Reserve Bank of Australia stated on Tuesday, 1 December 2020 that 'The extended period of high unemployment and excess capacity is expected to result in subdued increases in wages and prices over coming years';

(e) the September Quarter National Accounts showed that the wages share of income fell to record lows at 49%;

(f) wage growth forecasts have had to be downgraded in successive Budgets since 2014; and

(g) the Morrison Government has prioritised spending $15 million to promote its economic 'comeback' campaign at a time when millions of Australians are being left behind.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Real wages growth under the Morrison government of 0.07 per cent is in line with the 20-year average and is the same as the average under Labor's last term in government. The fact is that wages are forecast to grow by 1¾ of a per cent through the year to the June quarter 2021 and 1½ per cent to the June quarter 2022. The key to lifting real wages is lifting productivity growth, and that's why we've focused on lowering taxes, investing in infrastructure, equipping our workers with better skills and improving our industrial relations framework.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that general business notice of motion No. 914 standing in the name of Senator Gallagher be agreed to.