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

It means the minimum wage is now $12,079 higher per year compared to when the Albanese government was elected. This is the economically sustainable real wage increase that our government called for in our submission to the Fair Work Commission, and it's the fifth consecutive time we've called for an increase to the minimum wage. In making the decision, the Fair Work Commission expert panel considered a number of factors, including the performance of the national economy, which has been impacted by uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East, and the relative living standards and needs of minimum and award wage earners. Modern award employees predominantly work part-time hours and are in female dominated industries, and a majority are casuals.

Of course, it shouldn't come as a surprise to senators on this side of the chamber that Labor welcomes this decision and the cost-of-living help it will provide to working Australians. This is the pay rise that millions of Australian workers need and deserve. This is much-needed cost-of-living help for the cleaners, carers, and hospitality and retail workers on the minimum wage, and award reliant workers, many of whom work fewer hours and have fewer financial buffers to fall back on. Under Labor wages are higher and income taxes are lower, and we're helping first home buyers into their— (Time expired)