Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Today we've seen further evidence that the Albanese Labor government's economic plan is working, with almost one million jobs created under Labor. This is in addition to record-high workforce participation and the gender pay gap being down to a record low. Inflation in Australia is moderating—in fact, it's halved from its peak in 2022—and our rates are still lower than in the US, even after today's rate cut. How has Labor's economic plan enabled the government to provide cost-of-living relief whilst putting downward pressure on inflation?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Grogan for her question. It's an important one about the Albanese government's economic plan and how today, in the labour force data, we saw that 47½ thousand jobs were added to the economy in August and the unemployment rate has held steady at 4.2 per cent. This is a good outcome. We want more people in jobs, earning more and keeping more of what they earn. There have been a record number of jobs created on our watch, more than in any other term of parliament in Australia's history.

Participation rate remains high at 67.1 per cent and is at record high for women, showing that our economic plans around addressing gender inequality across the economy are also working. Our investments in early education and care, so that more women can choose extra hours if they want to, are being reflected in the participation rate. Almost 978,000 new jobs have been created under this government, and that is something that this entire chamber should celebrate because we know that having a job is so important to making sure families can keep ahead of budgets in their households.

We're also seeing inflation moderate. Again, we inherited inflation with a six in front of it. It's coming down in welcome ways. We would like, of course, to see that continue down, and we'll have the monthly CPI figures out next week. We're also seeing wages growing—again, a big contrast between this government and those when they were in government. Remember the deliberate design feature to keep wages low. That is what the opposition did. We have got wages moving again, we're delivering surpluses, and we are making sure that the budget is in much better shape.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, first supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's great news, Minister. Thank you. Whether it's housing, super on paid parental leave, cost protections for workers or a future made in Australia, Labor is committed to a better future for all Australians. We have pursued these policies in the Senate this week because we know they will improve the lives of all Australians. Minister, why is Labor's policy agenda the right one for all Australians?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Grogan for that supplementary too and drawing attention to our plans on housing, which we have been debating here this week; super on PPL, which passed this chamber in a fantastic vote earlier today; cost protection for workers; and a future made in Australia. All of those are those key policies and key features of our economic plan.

We've got the tax cuts rolling through. We've got cheaper child care. We've got cheaper medicines. We've got the Medicare urgent care clinics, which have been so successful. We've tripled the bulk-billing incentive rate. We've got the fee-free TAFE places and the energy bill relief that's rolling out to households now. We've extended paid parental leave. And, importantly, for those who live on payments, we have managed to find room to increase support for jobseekers and single parents because we know that people on payments do it tough as well. This is part of our carefully calibrated economic plan, and it is working in the interests of all Australians.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Grogan, second supplementary?

Karen Grogan (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This week in the Senate, the Albanese Labor government has been pushing back against the blockers. We want Australians to be homeowners. We want Australians to get super paid on their parental leave. We want to further improve the rights of Australian workers. We want a future made in Australia. What are the roadblocks that the government is facing in delivering our policy agenda?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The roadblocks are there and around there—just stop where Senator Faruqi is. They're the blockers. They're the ones that have voted to block a very sensible Help to Buy housing program that would get 40,000 people out of renting and into homeownership. That was the reform that the Senate voted to delay this week. It is a real shame. I think the thing about the Senate-only week is that people have been able to see the Senate taking part in that block. They've been seeing the very unhealthy alliance, the legislative hugging that's been going on, from the Greens, the National Party and the Liberal Party to block a sensible housing policy—Help to Buy—to get 40,000 people into homeownership. This Senate voted to delay it.