My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Wong. Bill Kelty, a prominent Australian Labor Party figure and former head of the ACTU, has highlighted the disastrous policies of the Albanese government, saying:

Real wages are not improving … they're falling.

He said that Australians 'can't pay the bills' and that housing affordability is worsening because 'interest rates are rising and real wages are falling'. Does the Prime Minister agree with Mr Kelty?

The Prime Minister and the whole government understand that Australians are under real pressure with cost of living, and we understand that people across this country are genuinely finding the cost of living and the cost of housing tough to deal with. We understand that. We also understand how much the world has thrown at our country over the last few years, whether it's the global pandemic, the land war in Europe, the disruptions to trade, a new conflict in the Middle East and, of course, as I've spoken about on a number of occasions, the largest shock to global energy markets in history. That has had a real impact upon our economy and it's had a real impact on Australians and their families. That is why the government is taking action and has taken action to deliver lasting relief—to help Australians with the pressure here and now and, at the same time, to make us stronger in the face of future shocks, whether it's making sure Australians can see a doctor for free and get the medicines they need for less, making sure we work to give first home buyers a fair crack or making sure we improve the opportunities available to Australians through free TAFE and paid prac.

When it comes to wages, I say to those opposite that we understand that we have to keep doing the work to grow wages. We are. It is a good thing that annual wages have grown above three per cent for 16 consecutive quarters. It's a good thing that we have the lowest average unemployment rate in half a century. It's a good thing that we have had 1.3 million jobs created. But there is more to do. We know that, and we are focused on— (Time expired)

Senator Cash, first supplementary?

Mr Kelty also took aim at Treasurer Chalmers, saying:

You had the treasurer say workers should be happy because their wage share is increasing, but their real wages are falling … It's just ridiculous and people get offended by it. They can't pay the bills, and you tell them your share of GDP is growing.

Does the Prime Minister agree with Mr Kelty?

We on this side understand the pressure that Australians are under, which is why we are focused on delivering real cost-of-living relief and why we have advocated for increases in the national minimum wage, which has increased by more than $12,000 a year. That is more than a 30 per cent increase. This is why we have delivered pay rises for early educators and workers in aged care. But there is more to do. We know that there is more to do.

Real wages are falling.

I'll take the interjection from Senator Cash because one thing we know is that those opposite have never advocated for a wage increase. What we know about those opposite is that they championed a system where lower wages were a deliberate design feature of the Australian economy. That is the Liberal way—'Let's deliberately try and keep wages low.' That is the way Senator Cash and her colleagues have championed. So I think Australians will understand what you are doing here, because you have never backed higher wages for working people. (Time expired)

Senator Cash, second supplementary?

Mr Kelty also said:

The PM is telling the country with glee that the price of property is falling, yet the unaffordability rate is increasing.

Because interest rates are rising and real wages are falling …

Does the Prime Minister agree with Mr Kelty's analysis?

What I would say in relation to houses and first home buyers and affordability is this. We have worked, through our budget, to do two key things. One is to deliver tax cuts for working Australians. But the second is also to ensure that we create a more level playing field between investors and first home buyers. That matters. It matters because we on this side believe that young Australians should get the opportunity to enter the housing market.

Now, I know Senator Cash and her colleagues are very anxious to ensure the tax breaks that investors have enjoyed.

Order, Senators Cash and McKenzie.

We think it is better, for the Australian economy and for equity in this country, to ensure that there is a fairer system.

Thank you, Minister Wong. Senator McKenzie, I called you by name and you still kept going as if I'd said nothing. You are being disrespectful and disorderly.