STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator STEWART (Victoria) (13:59): It is a great day to be a worker in this country. We backed a pay rise for three million minimum and award wage workers, which kicks in today. The minimum wage goes up to $26.44 an hour—above $1,000 a week for the first time ever.

Millions of workers—check-out staff, hospo, cleaners, aged care, child care and retail—are about to take home more because Labor backs workers. Under Labor, you'll always earn more and keep more of what you earn. The PRESIDENT: We'll now mover to question time.