Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Senator Pratt. Senator Pratt knows, as all of us know, that Australians are doing it tough right now, particularly as they face the additional costs of Christmas shopping. That's why the Albanese government has been working hard to deliver pay rises for millions of workers, including the 15 per cent wage increase for early childhood educators and teachers that we legislated this week.

Now, Christmas is a time of giving, and in that spirit of generosity I have penned this ode to the workers of Australia:

'Twas the sitting before Christmas, and all through the Senate

Every creature was stirring, especially Senator Rennick.

At work, Australians are in shops, schools and sheds,

While thoughts of Christmas leave dance in their heads.

All year Labor's worked hard to deliver a pay rise

For workers; the Libs have been noes, but Labor's been ayes.

Now, an outraged Senator Cash and a grinchy Mr Dutton

Have settled their IR plans which would leave workers with nothin'.

Cutting pay, cutting casuals—their cuts many pages—

But all with one aim: cutting Aussie workers' wages.

Then out from the House there arose such a clatter.

I sprang from my seat to see what's the matter.

When what to my shocked eyes did suddenly appear

But a shadowy cabinet, sucking up to billionaires near and dear.

Now Gina, now Tina, o what a lark.

On Clive, on Ray, on Sky after dark.

Down the chimney Peter Dutton came on foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with coal and black soot—