PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Ms ROBERTS (Pearce) (11:06): The incorporated speech reads as follows— Thank you, Deputy Speaker I would like to support this motion acknowledging the Albanese Labor government's reforms to help Australians earn more, keep more of what they earn and retire with more. For people across Pearce, the cost of living is not an abstract concern. It is reflected in the weekly grocery bill, the mortgage or rent payment, electricity costs, fuel, school expenses, medical appointments and childcare.
Australians are working hard and doing the right thing. They deserve a government that recognises that effort and delivers practical support. The measures that came into effect on 1 July do exactly that.
The first is payday superannuation. Under these reforms, employers are required to pay superannuation contributions at the same time as wages, rather than waiting until the end of the quarter. This gives workers greater visibility over their retirement savings and ensures that their contributions begin working for them sooner.
For many Australians, superannuation is one of their most important long-term assets. Yet too many workers have experienced delays, errors or unpaid superannuation. Payday super will help address those problems.
It means a young worker beginning their first job can see their super building from the outset. It means a parent returning to work can have greater confidence that their retirement savings are being maintained. These contributions may seem small one payday at a time, but over a working life they can make a substantial difference.
That is why payday super is not merely an administrative change. It is a reform that will help millions of Australians retire with more. The second measure is a 4.75 per cent increase to modern award wages.
This supports workers in industries such as retail, hospitality, care, cleaning, administration and transport—people who are often particularly exposed to rising household costs. The national minimum wage is now above $1,000 a week, at $1,004.90 per week or $26.44 an hour for a 38-hour week. A worker on the minimum wage should not have to choose between paying an electricity bill and putting food on the table.
Fair wage increases help workers meet those costs and support local economies, because people with more money in their pockets are better able to spend at local shops and businesses. We also recognise the contribution of small and family businesses in Pearce. Responsible wage growth provides businesses with certainty while ensuring that workers receive a fair return for their labour.
The third measure is the expansion of Commonwealth paid parental leave to 130 days, equivalent to 26 weeks for parents taking leave over a five-day working week. From July 2026, eligible parents will receive additional parental leave pay, with superannuation contributions paid on Commonwealth-funded parental leave for the first time. This is an important reform for Australian families.
Taking time away from paid employment to care for a new child should not result in a lasting financial penalty. Parents face significant costs when raising a child, while household income can fall and superannuation contributions can pause. By extending paid parental leave and paying superannuation on that leave, the government is recognising the value of caring work and helping strengthen parents' long-term financial security.
The fourth set of measures will help Australians keep more of what they earn. The new $1,000 instant tax deduction will make tax time simpler for eligible workers. It allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $1,000 for work-related expenses without keeping receipts for that deduction.
This will reduce paperwork and provide workers with a simpler, more certain way to claim modest work-related costs. The government is also delivering another tax cut of up to $268 for more than 14 million Australians. For households under pressure, that relief could help with groceries, bills, transport costs, school expenses or rent.
Taken together, these measures form a coherent plan from the Albanese Labor government. They help Australians earn more through stronger wages, keep more through tax relief, maintain their retirement savings while caring for a child, and retire with more through superannuation paid on every payday. For the people of Pearce, these reforms mean greater support for working households, more security for parents and stronger confidence in the future.
Our economy is strongest when work is properly rewarded, families are supported and Australians can approach retirement with dignity and confidence. Thank you, Deputy Speaker Debate adjourned.