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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. The Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australian workers by helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. Today, new data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the wages of Australian workers have risen again, growing above three per cent. Can the minister provide details on the data and outline the factors which have led to this increase?

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

Thanks, Senator Smith, who, again, is one of the very active members on this side of the chamber who've put a lot of work into wage rises for Australians over the years. In good news for Australians and particularly good news for Senator Hume as the shadow spokesperson, new data released by the ABS today shows real wages grew in the June quarter and annual nominal wages have now grown above three per cent for all four years under this Labor government. Senator Hume, I look forward to your press release welcoming the fact that Australian wages are increasing.

Real wages were up this quarter, but we acknowledge they were down through the year—not because wages have been too low but because inflation is still too high, something that the government is playing its role to drive down. The ongoing wage increases for Australian workers is a direct result of the Albanese Labor government's workplace laws, which were consistently opposed by the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation.

Let's recognise how much pressure many Australian families are under right now due to the global inflation shock that they are dealing with. Can you imagine how much harder life would be for those Australian families if we still had a government in Australia that wanted to see wages remain low and dedicated its entire economic policy apparatus to keeping wages low? That's the situation that Australian workers and their families would have been in.

We're helping to deliver higher wages for workers because we know this is one of the best ways to help with the cost of living. We're helping to boost wages for workers, giving every taxpayer a tax cut, and strengthening super at the same time as we're helping to address inflation. If you want an indication about where the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation stand on these issues, just think about the fact that Senator Hume famously claimed that wage increases 'would be the worst thing for Australians'.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

When did I say that?

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

How out of touch with the reality of Australians!

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

Is that a lie?

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

Senator Hanson is no different, saying: 'You can't just say, 'We're going to give you a rise. The reality is'— (Time expired)

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

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

An honourable senator: Hang on.

Senator McAllister?

Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme) | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hume's interjection was disorderly and she ought to withdraw.

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

Just a moment, Senator Hume. I did not hear an interjection. I'm sure, if Senator Hume made an interjection, she will withdraw it, but I did not hear it. Senator Hume?

Senator McAllister, you've made your point. I've invited Senator Hume—

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

There was a reflection made upon me, and I don't think it's unreasonable to respond to that.

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order. I believe I'm running the chamber.

Who said that? That can be withdrawn, that comment.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you. Senator Hume, I didn't hear the comment. I've invited you to withdraw. If you don't wish to, that is your decision.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, President. I will withdraw, but I would ask you to consider exactly what was said by the minister in his response.

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

Thank you. Please resume your seat, Minister Watt. As I said at the beginning, I did not hear the interjection. I can't consider something I did not hear. I've invited you to withdraw. You've asked me to consider it, but I cannot consider something I did not hear.

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I reiterate that I do withdraw. However, it does seem to be an increasingly common occurrence that those opposite are reflecting on those on this side of the chamber, and that goes unchecked by you, President.

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

Senator Hume, please resume your seat.

Senator Hume, please resume your seat. You're not in a debate with me. I've asked you to withdraw—

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

And I have withdrawn.

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

Well, you've also added a caveat. I would simply ask you, if you're going to withdraw, to withdraw the comment without any other additions.

Just a moment, Senator Wong. Senator Hume, I'm inviting you, once again, as I do with every senator in this place—

Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations) | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

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

Thank you. Sometimes I hear interjections and sometimes I don't. You will find, if you reflect on my record, if I hear an interjection, I ask for it to be withdrawn. Minister Wong?

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

Thank you.

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

Is this on the point of order?

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

It's on the point of order. We accept Senator Hume's point of order. We accept that Senator Hume has withdrawn. We are happy for you to consider the matter that Senator Hume has averred to. I would make the point there are existing provisions in the standing orders, if senators feel that something incorrect has been said, that they can avail themselves of. It's not a matter for the President to censor what every senator says. I would suggest that those opposite would understand that having said some of the things they have said over the years.

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

I will inform the chamber, once again, that the only comment I can have a look at later is what Senator Watt said. Now, that doesn't give it a context. I did not hear what Senator Hume said. She has withdrawn in the interest of the chamber. I thank her for that. I'm happy to listen to what Senator Watt has said, but I'm not sure it gives me much more to go on.

Senator Ruston, you're not in a debate with me. Senator Smith, first supplementary?

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

Lifting the wages of working Australians is one of the ways the Albanese Labor government is helping people with cost-of-living pressures. Minister, what policies has this government implemented to support higher wages for Australian workers?

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

Thanks, Senator Smith. The Albanese Labor government understands that many Australians are under pressure at the moment. That's why we're taking action by helping to address inflation and rolling out more cost-of-living relief, including higher wages and more tax cuts. Just last month, almost 2.8 million workers on the national minimum wage and the modern award got a pay boost, and 14 million Australian taxpayers got another tax cut under this government. Our government supported the increase to the minimum wage through our submission to the Fair Work Commission.

Now, we know that higher productivity is key to higher wages and living standards over the long term, and that's why turning around Australia's longstanding productivity challenge, which goes back at least 20 years, is also a key focus of the government. We've made a lot of progress in our economy, with strong wages growth under Labor, but the job's not yet done. We know that Australian people are under pressure, and that's why we continue to take action to boost their wages, help address inflation and deliver cost-of-living relief.

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

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

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

Minister, higher wages in the pay packets of millions of Australian workers helps lift the standard of living. That means more money for the things that matter, like putting a roof over your head or putting food on the table. Minister, why is the Albanese Labor government supportive of higher wages, and are there any obstacles that may stand in the way?

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

It sounded to me like Senator Scarr was putting up his hand when the word obstacles was used then! Higher wages do mean a better life for working Australians and their families, and, every day, every member of the Albanese Labor government pushes for higher wages because we know that it will improve the lives of the millions of Australians that we represent.

When we first came to office, real wages were going backwards under the coalition by 3.6 per cent. Both annual and quarterly real wages fell for the last five quarters under those opposite, and that's because lower wages were a key design feature for the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments' economic policy. The reality is that those on the other side hate wage rises. They might have different party names, but, for the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation, there's never a good time for a wage rise. They're already in coalition—the Liberals, the Nationals and One Nation—because they need each other to govern and because they share an agenda, which is all about cutting Australian wages and making life harder.

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.