Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. Getting wages moving again has been a key pillar of our government's agenda to support Australians dealing with cost-of-living pressures. How is the Albanese Labor government delivering better outcomes for low-paid workers?

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

I've got some very good news, Senator Smith, to round out this sitting fortnight. The Albanese Labor government is absolutely committed to getting wages moving again, especially for low-paid workers. It is this Labor government that has advocated each and every year for a wage rise for workers on minimum award wages, and on Thursday last week we made our submission to the Fair Work Commission, calling for an economically sustainable real wage increase for our lowest-paid workers on minimum award wages. That will help almost 2.7 million workers across the country. Over the course of our time in office, the minimum wage has increased by over $9,000 per year—essential cost-of-living support for the nation's lowest-paid workers.

As a result of this government's workplace reform, we've made sure that gender equality is at the heart of workplace laws, which has led to the commission delivering for workers who've been undervalued for too long. We have funded wage increases for aged-care workers and early childhood educators, to recognise the important work they do, and of course we've legislated to protect penalty and overtime rates for works on award rates, because they deserve to be properly paid for working unsociable hours. This Labor government is also restoring balance to the Fair Work Commission so both workers and employers get a fair hearing before the commission.

Yesterday the independent Fair Work Commission made a historic decision by ruling that young adult workers should earn adult wages. The government welcomes the decision to abolish junior rates for 18- to 20-year-old workers in retail, fast food and pharmacy. This decision, which is up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s, means that tens of thousands of young adult workers will earn more at this important time in their lives. In its decision, the commission considered the need for time for employers and businesses to adjust and recommended pay rises be phased in over four years. I congratulate the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association for taking on this case and for securing this really important win for young workers.

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

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're right, Minister. Yesterday's decision by the Fair Work Commission is an absolutely fantastic outcome for young workers in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors, among many others. As cost-of-living pressures begin to rise, as the conflict in the Middle East continues, how else is the Albanese Labor government supporting Australian workers to earn more and keep more of what they earn?

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

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

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The campaign to get this outcome for young workers has been hard fought for many decades. Can the minister outline what support the decision to pay adult wages for adult jobs has received?

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

Yesterday's fair work decision means that tens of thousands of young workers will earn more at this important time in their lives. These are among our lowest paid, and they should be fairly compensated for the work they perform. As Sierra Bell says, who works three casual jobs, including one at Kmart, while studying at university:

Your bills aren't discounted even though you're paid a discounted rate of an adult.

Now Sierra and all those other young workers will be paid what they deserve.

In breaking news, my office has told me that the coalition and One Nation have decided to support this pay rise for young workers. What extraordinary about-face from the coalition, putting aside their ideological opposition for once to support millions of workers and back the union! Oh, hang on—I've just checked the date of this document. It's 1 April. April Fools! The Liberals, Nationals and One Nation will never support a pay rise because you want working people to be worse off.

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

I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. If I may take the opportunity to reassure my Senate colleagues and staff, all the best for the Easter weekend.