Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

Whether it's a tax cut for every Australian worker, opposed by the opposition; advocating for higher wages, opposed by the opposition; or protecting important conditions that put more money in people's pockets, like penalty rates and overtime—opposed by the opposition—the Albanese government is consistently on the side of working Australians. We're absolutely dedicated to ensuring that Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn.

The coalition, on the other hand, have opposed every single measure we've introduced that would benefit the millions of workers facing cost-of-living pressures right now. The Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and shadow industrial relations spokesperson, Senator Hume, went as far as claiming that real wage increases 'would be the worst thing for Australians'—maybe for the Australians in Toorak but maybe not for other Australians! She also claimed that adding more rights for workers is unreasonable. What an unreasonable thing to do to give more rights to workers! Senator Hume also wanted workers to have to choose between their wages going up and their super. Labor supports working Australia. (Time expired)