Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank the member for Solomon for his question but also for his commitment to those working Australians right across the country as well as in Darwin and Palmerston and for making sure that they can earn more and keep more of what they earn.

In our first term, we improved workplace laws, which are now delivering real wage increases and more secure jobs. The most recent data released by the ABS confirmed that real wages have now grown for seven consecutive quarters under the Albanese Labor government. The data also demonstrates the strongest annual real wages growth in five years. ABS data also confirms that the government is delivering more jobs for Australians. Since we were elected in May 2022, we've seen more than 1.1 million jobs created. This is an 8.6 per cent increase, which represents a higher rate of employment growth than all other major advanced economies over the same period.

Of course, we have ambition for more jobs. We are not going to be complacent. We are committed to creating more jobs for Australians, including in the construction industry. Our housing plan to build more homes more quickly not only ensures that people have a roof over their head but will create more job opportunities in the construction industry. As the housing minister has said, by streamlining housing approvals and cutting red tape—taking action on delays in approvals—we'll see more builders and tradies on construction sites rather than filling out forms.

Not only are we focused on creating more jobs now; we're also focused on creating and preparing young Australians for construction jobs of the future. That's why we are delivering free TAFE right across the country for students who are taking up the opportunity to take on a course and get a job in the construction industry. We've also established $10,000 incentive payments for apprentices who finish an apprenticeship to ensure Australia has the workforce it needs to build homes. We are committed to building more homes in Australia, creating more jobs in the construction industry and ensuring young Australians have the training they need for jobs in the industry. It is only this government that is absolutely committed to building Australia's future by getting wages moving, by creating more jobs and, of course, by building more houses. It is under our government that Aussie workers are earning more and keeping more of what they earn, and we'll keep doing that even in the face of those opposite.

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