CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr JOSH WILSON (Fremantle—Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Assistant Minister for Emergency Management) (16:17): At a time of cost pressures and a time of global turmoil that's created supply shocks and caused inflation, communities around Australia are looking to their government to help tackle those challenges, not with a magic wand but by delivering real change that makes a difference at a tough time.
Tomorrow, on 1 July, we'll deliver more of that real, practical change to support Australians. Tomorrow, more than three million Australians will receive a pay rise, continuing the record of the Albanese government in delivering real wage rises after a decade of wage stagnation under the coalition. Award workers will get a 4.75 per cent pay rise, and those on the national minimum wage will see a six per cent increase.
Tomorrow, every working Australian will receive a further tax cut, continuing the record of the Albanese government in delivering tax relief, especially for low- and middle-income earners. Indeed, the average worker will now have benefited annually to the tune of $2,800 in tax cuts thanks to the Albanese government. Tomorrow, Paid Parental Leave will be extended to six months and we'll see superannuation added to Paid Parental Leave.
From tomorrow, price gouging by supermarkets will become illegal. From tomorrow, Australians will be paid super into their accounts on their pay day. From tomorrow, people in New South Wales, South Australia and south-east Queensland will be able to benefit from Solar Sharer, an initiative that means customers with a smart meter can choose a plan that includes a three-hour free power period each day.
This is real change. These are real measures that will make a difference at a difficult time and will build on the work we've done since coming to government in a range of areas. We've just introduced and passed through the House of Representatives momentous and courageous tax reforms to make sure that we eliminate the Howard government distortions that saw the price of housing grow twice as fast as wages, a piece of policy madness that's fuelled the housing crisis and made homeownership out of reach for many, especially young Australians.
In being prepared to take on difficult but necessary change we're making sure that our tax system doesn't put a heavier burden on the vast majority of Australians who earn their living from wages than on those who earn income from asset investment. It's a change in the direction of fairness. It's a real change that takes courage and makes a difference, which is what the people that we represent rightly expect from their government.
On 1 July, through wage rises, tax cuts, our strong action on supermarket prices and cheaper energy, the Albanese government will be continuing to deliver real and positive change of a practical kind to the Australian community at a tough time. That's what the Australian people expect of good government. That's what the Albanese government is delivering.