QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:09): We are proud to support working families, and in particular we are proud that it was a Labor government, many years ago, which first legislated paid parental leave, and it is now a Labor government that is ensuring that paid parental leave is extended to a full 26 weeks.

This provides support and certainty to families and parents caring for their children, with even more time for parents to cherish those precious early months. And, from tomorrow, almost 2.7 million Australian workers will benefit from a six per cent increase to the national minimum wage and a 4.75 per cent increase to modern award wages. It will be the first time the national minimum wage is above $1,000 a week.

Senator Cash: It's inflation. Senator WONG: I'll take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, who is again criticising wage increases. We know what they're about—lower wages.

We're about higher wages. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Tyrrell, second supplementary?