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

Thanks, Senator Pratt. It is important that we have a Labor government working hard to deliver the wage rises that Australian workers need. What we also know is that, under Mr Dutton, the coalition has tried to block every single cost-of-living measure this year—and what's worse is they've been proud of it. Remember that Senator Hume said wage rises for workers would be the worst thing. Remember that Senator Cash said wage rises would close down Australia. Remember that Senator Cash said paid domestic and family violence leave would disincentivise employers from hiring women and said our workplace reforms would close down Australia. Remember, again, that Senator Hume said more rights for workers was unreasonable and that the Liberals would consider scrapping same job, same pay.

We know, as this year wraps up, that many Australians continue to do it very tough, and that is exactly why we need a government that will do everything possible to put more money in people's pockets with higher wages and cost-of-living relief. What they do not need is a Liberal opposition who wants to cut, cut, cut. (Time expired)