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

I'd like to thank the member for Moreton for her question and for her years and years of standing up for working Australians in this place and before she came here.

This Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians with a range of cost-of-living measures coming in from today. From today, millions of Australian workers will see a real boost to their pay, with the minimum wage rising above $1,000 a week for the first time. This is delivering real cost-of-living support for workers. Since the Albanese government came into office, we have advocated for an increase to the minimum wage every single time. That's five years in a row. Over the course of this government, workers on the minimum wage are now $12,000 better off because of our advocacy. Our commitment to boost the minimum wage has been welcomed by workers like Bianca. Bianca is a retail worker, and she said, 'Getting this pay rise helps those in less fortunate situations like me.' This pay rise means that Raj, a support worker, can afford to buy a new bike for his son, which he has been asking for.

While our government is backing pay rises for our lowest paid workers, the same cannot be said for the three right-wing parties over there. We all know that when the coalition were last in government they never backed a real wage increase for workers. Of course, in the last few weeks the Liberal Party, the National Party and One Nation have all refused time and time again to back this minimum wage increase that is coming in today.

We know that this government is backing not only a minimum wage rise but also tax cuts for workers. This government is delivering a fairer tax system for hardworking Australians. From today, over 14 million taxpayers will get a tax cut delivered by this Labor government. Combined tax cuts outlined in this year's budget will mean Australian workers on average earnings will be up to $2,800 a year better off under this Labor government.

Of course, not only do those opposite oppose the minimum award rise that we've seen today, but they voted against tax cuts in this parliament. Those opposite were so committed to denying Australians tax cuts that they took an increase to income tax to the last election. Those three right-wing parties have not changed their approach. In recent weeks they've continued to vote against tax cuts over and over in this place. It is only this Labor government that will stand up for Australian workers.

See this speech in context