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SenateMonday 14 September 2026

QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:50): Over 1.3 million jobs have been created, Senator Roberts—three out of five are full time and five out of six are in the private sector. We've got the lowest average unemployment rate of any government in the last 50 years, a record number of Australians in full-time jobs and a participation rate at near-record highs.

The advice I have is that the participation rate has gone from 66.3 per cent in May 2022 to 66.9 per cent, which is near a record high. As a Labor government, we will always do more to make sure that people have all of the opportunities they can from the dignity that work provides and—not only that—good, secure jobs that pay well. That is what Labor governments are all about, and that is what we will continue to deliver.

The PRESIDENT: Senator Roberts, second supplementary?

SourceSenate, Monday 14 September 2026 — official recordTA-260914-senate-45162e6f0c92:s211