QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Senator WATT (Queensland—Minister for the Environment and Water) (14:21): I thank Senator Sheldon, who, along with every senator in the Labor team, always stands up for the rights of working Australians. Senator Sheldon is right: earlier this month, the Fair Work Commission handed down the 2026 annual wage review decision. That increased modern award wages by 4.75 per cent and increased the national minimum wage by six per cent from 1 July this year.
Importantly for the workers of Australia, this is another real wage increase under the Albanese government, and that will help workers and their families with their cost-of-living pressures. Senator Canavan: Inflation is predicted to be five per cent! It's not a real increase.
Senator WATT: Already we see Senator Canavan arguing against an increase to the minimum wage. This decision means that for the first time the national minimum wage will rise above $1,000 per week. Senator Canavan interjecting— Senator WATT: So angry, aren't you, about increases to the minimum wage.
The PRESIDENT: Minister Watt, direct your comments through the chair. Senator WATT: It means the minimum wage is now $12,079 higher per year compared to when the Albanese government was elected. This is the economically sustainable real wage increase that our government called for in our submission to the Fair Work Commission, and it's the fifth consecutive time we've called for an increase to the minimum wage.
In making the decision, the Fair Work Commission expert panel considered a number of factors, including the performance of the national economy, which has been impacted by uncertainty around the conflict in the Middle East, and the relative living standards and needs of minimum and award wage earners. Modern award employees predominantly work part-time hours and are in female dominated industries, and a majority are casuals.
Of course, it shouldn't come as a surprise to senators on this side of the chamber that Labor welcomes this decision and the cost-of-living help it will provide to working Australians. This is the pay rise that millions of Australian workers need and deserve. This is much-needed cost-of-living help for the cleaners, carers, and hospitality and retail workers on the minimum wage, and award reliant workers, many of whom work fewer hours and have fewer financial buffers to fall back on.
Under Labor wages are higher and income taxes are lower, and we're helping first home buyers into their— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Sheldon, first supplementary?