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

I would like to thank the hardworking member for Hasluck for her question. Since the Albanese Labor government was first elected, we have been working to deliver higher wages. Just a few months ago we passed legislation to protect penalty and overtime rates, delivering on our election commitment. This means all those workers relying on these rates over the Christmas period can be reassured that, under this government, their penalty and overtime rates are protected.

This year our government advocated to the Fair Work Commission for a wage increase for our lowest-paid workers, meaning that over the course of this Labor government minimum wage earners are, on average, more than $9,000 better off. Our world-leading gig worker reforms are delivering platform delivery drivers in Australia minimum standards, including life-changing pay increases. This year we have also seen our determination to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining paying off. We are now seeing the highest number of employees on record covered by enterprise agreements, and these agreements are delivering substantial pay increases.

Our government has delivered early educators and aged-care workers a well-deserved pay rise, finally recognising the important work that they do. This year, we've also extended the right to disconnect to all workers covered by the Fair Work Act so more people can turn off their phone and spend important time with their loved ones, particularly over the Christmas break. Our government is getting on with delivering our commitment to get wages moving.

I will compare that to those opposite. Before the last election, we did have a coalition plan—you may have missed it—and that was to force working women into part-time, job-sharing arrangements, cutting their take-home pay. They also promised to rip away the right to disconnect, wanting people in this country to work longer for less. And, of course, they promised to repeal important reforms that are delivering better wages for Australian workers. Despite the coalition's plan being thoroughly rejected by the Australian people, we now have the Leader of the Opposition reheating last year's Christmas leftovers. When asked whether she would roll back our measures that are delivering better wages and conditions, she said she would look at it all. Everything is on the table when it comes to those opposite. While those on the other side continue to fight and squabble for just one job, this Labor government is fighting for well-paid jobs for every single Australian.

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