ADJOURNMENT

Senator GHOSH (Western Australia) (16:37): We begin our lives by participating in a kind of cosmic lottery. None of us chooses where we start life or where we are born. We do not choose our parents or our postcode or the skills or opportunities that are available to us when we are young.

As a society, we must recognise that people begin their lives from different starting points, and, as a parliament, we must use that to inform our decision-making. We cannot make all things equal, but, if we make sure that all Australians have the same opportunity to realise their potential and contribute to our society and our economy, we'll be making a good start.

The opportunity to access a high-quality education; to hold a secure job with decent pay and conditions; to own a home; to spend time with loved ones, family and friends; and to retire with dignity—we must endeavour to create a nation where opportunity is shared, progress is embraced, hard work is compensated and economic success is abundant and shared. Education is at the heart of opportunity.

Education expands opportunity and reduces inequality in a way that is fundamental and transformative. Education transforms lives. We must invest in early education, properly fund our primary and high schools, empower people to get a trade or a vocational qualification at TAFE and ensure our universities remain the best in the world.

We must focus on improving infrastructure in our regional and remote communities across the country when it comes to education and making sure that people who live in our regions have the same educational opportunities as those who live in our cities. It is our responsibility to provide every Australian the chance to be a good student, a good worker and a good employer.

The benefits of education are not just vocational, of course. A good education, whatever form that takes, adds meaning to life and fosters human flourishing. We must also be committed to secure and well-paid jobs.

A commitment to securing a better deal for workers in this country is a core objective of the Australian Labor Party and of the trade union movement. Human labour must never be treated as just a commodity. Workers are not economic inputs.

Their lives are not just units to be added up on a balance sheet. Employment provides workers with more than just income; it provides dignity, security, purpose and opportunity. Every worker deserves respect.

Every worker deserves to be paid fairly. Every worker deserves to return home safely at the end of the day. Outside of a person's love and their friendship, the most sacred thing that they can give is their labour.

Those who share their labour, who give their labour in that way, deserve to be paid liveable wages and deserve to share in the economic success of our country. As a barrister, I acted on behalf of trade unions and individuals in a range of cases involving underpayment, wrongful termination and the proliferation of sham enterprise agreements. I've seen the lengths people will go to pay workers less and to undermine our industrial relations system, and I am familiar with the cost, the time and the work required to expose and prove that wrongdoing and to rectify those faults.

Individual workers often do not have the power to represent themselves on an equal footing with their employers, and it is the role of trade unions and the industrial relations system to serve as a counterweight to that inherent inequality. We must have strong safety nets in place for workers, and there must be robust mechanisms so workers can negotiate their pay and conditions and are able to stand up for their rights without fear of reprisal from their employers.

I have a great sense of optimism about Australia and the bright future that awaits our wonderful country. I believe in an Australia where people can build a prosperous and happy future for themselves and their families. I believe we can have a strong economy which shares its growth with those who participate in it.

I believe in an Australia where fairness is a core national endeavour. And I believe in an Australia where opportunity, progress and fairness are delivered through education; through economic growth; through strong, secure and well-paid jobs; and through productive work. I believe in Australia.

I believe in our future and that our best days are ahead of us.