Senate debates Statements by Senators

Wages and Salaries


Dorinda Cox

Dorinda Cox WA, Australian Labor Party

1:59 pm

The lowest gender pay gap ever recorded in Australia is 11.3 per cent. Down from 14.1 per cent when Labor took office, women working full-time now earn $325 more each week than they did in 2022. That is money back in women's bank accounts. We backed a minimum wage rise, we lifted wages in aged care and early childhood education and we expanded paid parental leave to six months. We put super on top of that.

For too long women have been handed the bill for inequality: less in their pay packet, less while raising children and less in their retirement. Now, those opposite want to continue to hand them the bill, with Senator Bragg talking about how it's the biggest policy failure since Federation or comparing teens super to for super for cats and dogs.

Andrew Bragg

Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness

You're corrupt.

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

I didn't hear it, but, Senator Bragg, I'm sure that, if you said something unparliamentary, you will withdraw it.

Andrew Bragg

Andrew Bragg NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness

I withdraw.

Dorinda Cox

Dorinda Cox WA, Australian Labor Party

While they're on the unity ticket—

Sue Lines

Sue Lines President

It's now two pm. We'll move to question time.