My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator Watt. The Albanese Labor government continues to deliver cost-of-living relief. The key part of that delivery is helping Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. The latest Trends in federal enterprise bargaining report shows that the government's changes to workplace laws are putting more money in Australian workers' pockets. Minister, how has the government improved wages, reinvigorated enterprise bargaining, addressed the gender pay gap and improved job security?

The Albanese government's workplace reforms continue to deliver strong outcomes for Australian workers, with the highest number of active enterprise agreements since June 2018. After 10 years of a coalition government who deliberately held wages low, the Albanese Labor government is now delivering higher wages with policies that enable Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn.

Enterprise agreements are good for workers and good for businesses. Workers get better pay and conditions, and businesses get more flexibility and productivity. The latest Trends in federal enterprise bargaining report shows that there were 11,614 active enterprise agreements in place as of June 2026, and, as I say, that's the highest in nearly 10 years.

Our Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act was passed by our government in December 2022 to improve wages, reinvigorate enterprise bargaining, address the gender pay gap and improve job security, and that's exactly what that legislation has done. Now almost 2.6 million Australian workers are covered by current enterprise agreements. Employees covered by new enterprise agreements received average annual wage increases of four per cent, compared with 3.2 per cent growth in the wage price index. So workers who are covered by enterprise agreements are earning more than the average worker. This marks eight consecutive quarters in which wages under enterprise agreements have grown faster than the national average.

But, of course, not everyone agrees with our successful reforms, which are putting more money in the pockets of workers across the country. I noticed that, over the last three weeks, Senator Hume has used a speech at the HR Nicholls Society, those noted supporters of Australian workers, to prove again that the coalition does not support workers' rights, including the right to disconnect and same job, same pay laws. What that means is that, if it were up to the coalition and One Nation, tens of thousands of dollars would be stripped from workers' pay packets each and every week. (Time expired)

Senator Sheldon, first supplementary?

Under the Albanese Labor government, we've seen the lowest average unemployment rate of any government in the last 50 years alongside the creation of more than 1.3 million jobs. Minister, why is it important that Australia's labour market remains resilient to help Australians deal with cost-of-living pressures?

Australia's labour market remains resilient, despite ongoing global economic uncertainty. Almost 40,000 jobs were added in August, and, while unemployment remains low, it's not surprising to see it tick up slightly in the context of the current global uncertainty. More than 1.3 million jobs have been created since we came to government, most of them full time, and we have stronger jobs growth and higher participation than every G7 economy. It's worth repeating that for the benefit of opposition members: Australia, under the Albanese Labor government, has stronger jobs growth and higher employment participation than every one of the seven biggest economies across the world. And don't you hate that fact! We remain focused on supporting those Australians who are still doing it tough. That's why we're cutting taxes, which you opposed, and we'll keep working to create more jobs, lift wages, which you opposed, and ensure people have the security that they deserve at work, which you opposed as well.

Senator Sheldon, second supplementary?

You certainly hit a sore spot there, Minister, with those opposite. Whether it's higher wages, improved job security or more fairness in the workplace relations system, the Albanese Labor government is backing everyday Aussie workers at every turn. Minister, why is it important that workers are supported by the government and real action is taken to protect their wages and conditions?

We on this side of the chamber believe that Aussie workers deserve to be paid properly and have their wages and conditions protected. That's why the Albanese government is doing just that. We know that the coalition, together with One Nation, have consistently voted against every law we've introduced that has helped to lift wages for workers. Now we know that they want to do that again if they ever get to govern in coalition with One Nation. We saw Senator Hume's speech at the HR Nicholls Society and, on show over the weekend, at that cringe-worthy CPAC conference held in Brisbane, we saw them competing for who could be the most right wing. We saw Senator Canavan, Senator McKenzie, Senator Nampijinpa Price and Senator Henderson—that Pauline Hanson tribute band which sits over there and plays very second-rate covers of the original item sitting even further to their right—yet again getting out there saying that they want to undermine working conditions and ensure that workers have a harder time and find it harder to get ahead. We are going to stand against that and make sure it doesn't happen. (Time expired)

I ask that further questions be placed on notice.