Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

The first action when this government was elected was to put in a submission to the Annual Wage Review. Those opposite were outraged during the election campaign when then Leader of the Opposition Albanese answered with that one word 'absolutely', as to whether he would support pay rises for the lowest paid. Those opposite couldn't even bring themselves to support a $1-an-hour increase for the lowest paid. They said it would be economy wrecking. They said it would be a disaster. They said, 'Leave it to the experts.' What did the experts say after the government had put in a submission? They agreed and said, 'Absolutely,' as well.

This week we will introduce the Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill. We will ensure that we get wages moving for people who rely on the bargaining system as well. Enterprise bargaining has always been the best way to both get wages moving and get productivity outcomes. Those opposite don't want bargaining. Those opposite don't want to see wages get moving. Why? For them, it's always been a deliberate design feature to keep wages low.

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