Varun Ghosh (WA, 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. A key part of that is ensuring that unemployment remains low by historical standards. Minister, can you detail the ABS labour force data, which was released this morning?

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

Senator Ghosh, as a matter of fact I can! Today's labour force figures demonstrate that Australia's labour market remains resilient, despite some softening. This is particularly the case when we compare Australia's jobs market to other advanced economies and, by historical standards, with more than 1.3 million jobs added to our economy since the election of the Albanese Labor government—and doesn't Senator McGrath look happy about that fact?

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

Minister Watt, I remind you to direct your comments to the chair.

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

President, can't you observe Senator McGrath's happiness about the 1.3 million jobs added to our economy under the Albanese Labor government?

The unemployment rate did increase marginally over the month of July, but this remains low by historical standards. While employment decreased by 15,800 in July, we've seen an increase over the year, with more than 190,000 more Australians in work than a year ago. Encouragingly, full-time employment rose over the month, with a record 10.2 million Australians in full-time work in July. The underemployment rate also fell marginally in July, which means that more Australian workers are getting the hours that they want. While the participation rate decreased slightly over the month to 66.9 per cent, it remains a fraction below its record high of 67.2 per cent. These figures released today demonstrate the resilience of Australia's labour market against the backdrop of global economic challenges, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

There will, of course, continue to be challenges across the global economy, and we are not immune. However, since 2022, employment growth in Australia has outpaced all other major advanced economies, including the US, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, UK and Japan. Of course, with the ongoing global uncertainty, our government is taking practical measures to shield our nation and household budgets from the worst of this. These figures come after ABS data released yesterday showed real wages grew in the June quarter, and annual nominal wages have now grown above three per cent for four years under this Labor government. We are delivering real change for Australians. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ghosh, first supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, the unemployment rate remains low by historical standards, and participation rates remain high. While the government has made a lot of progress, we know that many Australian workers are still doing it tough. How is the Albanese Labor government supporting workers dealing with cost-of-living pressures?

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

The Albanese Labor government understands that many Australians are under pressure at the moment due to the global inflation shock, and that's why we're taking action by helping to address inflation.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) | Link to this | Hansard source

Made worse by your lack of decision-making.

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

I'm not sure why Senator McKenzie is piping up. I imagine she's looking forward to getting back to her electorate, where she'll meet even more National Party members who've joined One Nation. I imagine that's why she's happy at the moment. We are taking action.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) | Link to this | Hansard source

You live rent free in his mind.

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

Senator Cash is also looking forward to getting back and meeting the Liberals who've gone to One Nation.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator Colbeck's looking forward to getting back and meeting One Nation members who used to be Liberals.

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

Order! Senator McKenzie, that outburst by you and Senator Henderson was incredibly disrespectful. Minister, please continue.

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

The idea that respect wouldn't be shown to me, I find abhorrent.

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

Senator Wong, order!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator McKenzie and Senator Henderson, if you can't sit respectfully in this chamber and show respect to me, leave. Minister Watt, please continue.

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

As I was saying, we're taking action to combat the global inflation shock. We're also rolling out more cost-of-living relief, including higher wages and more tax cuts. At the same time, our government is responsibly managing the budget, tackling inflation and strengthening our economy. It's worth remembering that every action we've taken to help Australians has been opposed by that coalition of the Liberals, Nationals and One Nation.

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

Senator Ghosh, second supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

According to the ABS, female participation is close to a record high, which is good for families, communities and the economy. What is the Albanese Labor government doing to support women in the workforce, and are there any obstacles to ensure women are supported in their jobs?

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

I'm afraid to say there are obstacles, Senator Ghosh. The Albanese Labor government—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Hello! There's one there. There's another one there, and there's one right there.

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

Minister, please direct your comments to me. Order on the left.

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

The Albanese Labor government, led by Minister Gallagher, the Minister for Women, has put women's economic equality at the centre of our government's agenda. It's encouraging to see we're making progress in the right direction.

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

Order, Senator Henderson!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Senator Cash, order! Order across the chamber! Senator Henderson, I will name you. Minister Watt, please continue.

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

The Albanese government is tackling the gender pay gap from every angle, including by delivering pay rises for minimum wage workers, boosting wages in the early childhood—

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Minister, please resume your seat. It's incredibly disrespectful when I call order for senators on the front bench of the left-hand side of the chamber to call out and completely disregard what I say. I am serious. I will name you.

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

We're expanding paid parental leave and we're paying paid superannuation on paid parental leave in addition to those wage rises for the carers and aged-care sectors.

Of course, not everyone supports women's workplace rights. We've previously seen Senator Cash claim that family and domestic violence leave would be a perverse disincentive to women's employment. We've seen Senator Canavan describe the gender pay gap as 'complete nonsense' and Senator Hanson call the gender pay gap 'smoke and mirrors'. That is the danger that Australians face under a Liberal-Nationals-One Nation coalition. (Time expired)