Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. From the inner suburbs of Brisbane to Devonport in Tasmania and across the country to Victoria Park in WA, Australian workers are doing their bit to ensure Australia continues to be the lucky country. Whether it's educating and caring for the next generation of Australians, building our homes and roads and hospitals or ensuring that food gets from the warehouse to the supermarket shelves in time for Christmas, Aussie workers are showing up for us. Given this, how is the Albanese Labor government helping Australian workers earn more and keep more of what they earn? Are there any examples of the government's policies delivering a fair go for Australian workers?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | Link to this | 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—

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Watt, please resume your seat. Senator McGrath?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order: this is cringe.

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

That isn't a point of order, Senator McGrath. Senator Watt, please continue.

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

Good to see the outrage from Senator Cash! It goes on:

A bundle of nuclear rods Mr Dutton had flung on his back

Straight from Chernobyl, just opening his pack.

Dreaming of post election when he gets to work

Raiding every worker's pockets—then he turned with a jerk.

He considered a sleigh, but said to his friends, 'Do not fret,'

And away they all flew on their billionaires' jets.

With his billionaire mates he flew out of sight,

Saying, 'Happy Grinchmas to all'— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pratt?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

However true, your poetry is as bad as Gina Rinehart's, Senator Watt! The festive season, nevertheless, would not be the same without the hardworking people in our supermarkets, retail shops, restaurants and cafes, and thank you for acknowledging that. Mr Dutton believes that paying Australian workers fairly would 'undoubtedly damage the Australian economy'. So how are the Albanese Labor government's reforms helping Australians get a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, and why is it so important that the value of Australian workers is reflected in this pay?

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Watt, before I get you to answer: if there are any more poetic references to people in the other place you do need to use their correct title, and if there is a normal response to the question that applies equally.

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

Unfortunately, we know the opposition don't like being told in prose that they're about cutting wages. It seems they don't like it in poetry either. I would sing, except I'm not allowed to! In any way, you don't like being told that you're going to cut workers' wages if you get half the chance, just like you've always done when you've been in government.

Now, of course, it's not just poetry that hardworking Australians get from this government. They also get help to achieve wage increases and tax cuts.

Seriously, they do get help, Senator Cash. I know that's a foreign notion to you—the idea that a government would help workers with pay rises. We know that that's what you think because you've voted against every single one of them. But do you know what workers like Sunitha, an early educator from Victoria Park in Western Australia, have to say about pay rises? She says that the news of the pay rise for early educators is amazing. She's had calls from co-workers who'd left early education who are now wanting to come back. Under Labor, workers will earn more and keep more of what they earn. Under you lot, they will work longer for less. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pratt, second supplementary?

Louise Pratt (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Dutton, the Liberals and the Nationals have proudly stated those on the coalition side of the chamber will always stand with employers of Australia. So, Minister, why is it so important to stand with Australian workers and families by putting more money in their pockets this Christmas, and what are the key barriers to achieving this?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | Link to this | 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)

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper.