Amanda Rishworth
Kingston · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“He contacted my office to let me know that this will make a huge difference to him and other young people in the retail workspace who now feel they can get ahead and start saving for a home. Tax cuts are also coming in on 1 July.”
“Of course, the Labor Party is the party of superannuation. We firmly believe that superannuation enables people to save for their retirement. It is a very important reform.”
“Yesterday was 1 July, and this was a really important day where a lot of cost-of-living help was provided by this government. Starting from 1 July, I'm really very pleased that workers that rely on the national minimum wage and national minimum award wages will have seen a boost to their wages.”
“We know that this government is backing not only a minimum wage rise but also tax cuts for workers. This government is delivering a fairer tax system for hardworking Australians. From today, over 14 million taxpayers will get a tax cut delivered by this Labor government.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Moreton for her question and for her years and years of standing up for working Australians in this place and before she came here. This Albanese Labor government is delivering real change for Australians with a range of cost-of-living measures coming in from today.”
“Our commitment to boost the minimum wage has been welcomed by workers like Bianca. Bianca is a retail worker, and she said, 'Getting this pay rise helps those in less fortunate situations like me.' This pay rise means that Raj, a support worker, can afford to buy a new bike for his son, which he has been asking for.”
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“FWC workload measures This bill includes six important administrative measures which will streamline the operations of the Fair Work Commission and assist it to manage its workload, without reducing protections for workers. The commission plays a critical role as our national workplace relations tribunal, and the government is committed to ensuring that it continues to provide efficient dispute resolution services to workers and employers across Australia. The first measure will remove the requirement to hold a formal hearing to determine whether or not an applicant in a general protections matter has or has not been dismissed. The amendment will allow the commission to simply conduct a conference to seek to resolve the dispute. This will save the time and resources of the commission, as well as the parties involved in the dispute.”
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The government's first term workplace reforms were the most significant since the Fair Work Act commenced almost 17 years ago. These reforms have delivered on our objectives to promote job security and gender equality, get wages moving, improve safety, and address loopholes that have undermined fairness in the workplace. With this bill today, we build on those reforms with a package of practical measures to further improve the operation of the workplace relations system and support more cooperative and productive workplaces. These include amendments designed to: I now turn to outline the measures in the bill in detail.”
“Shadow minister after shadow minister was out this morning doing the media rounds. They were asked time and time again if they would deliver or support or back a real wage increase, and none of them had the guts to just say 'yes'. This shouldn't be surprising, though; not once when they were in government did the coalition advocate for a real wage increase for Australian workers. For a decade, those opposite admitted it was a deliberate design feature of their economic architecture—to keep wages down. Of course, this side of the House supports wage increases. We also support tax cuts for Australians. It's only the Labor Party that's on the side of working Australians.”
“Of course, in addition to the 4.75 per cent increase for our award-reliant workers, the commission has determined to lift the floor for our lowest paid workers, who rely on the national minimum wage, by delivering the lowest classifications a six per cent wage increase. This decision means that our lowest paid workers, who rely on the national minimum wage, will now earn over $1,000 a week. Since this Labor government came into office, the national minimum wage has increased by more than $12,000 per year. This translates to a 12 per cent real wage increase for Australia's lowest paid workers since we came to government. Today's wage increase will deliver meaningful help with cost of living for Australia's lowest paid workers. And while this government backs pay rises for low-paid workers, those opposite have refused to do so.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Holt for that question but also for her lifetime advocacy in standing up for low-paid workers. I'm really pleased to inform the House today that the Fair Work Commission has awarded a 4.75 per cent wage increase for the 2.7 million modern-award-reliant workers in this country. This represents a real wage increase, supporting workers with cost of living. Many of these workers are low paid. They are predominantly women and work casually and in industries like retail, health care, accommodation and food services. It's been this government that's advocated for these workers, to the commission, for an economically sustainable real wage increase. We welcome the commission's decision as a win for working Australians.”
“This government has introduced new standards that ensure gig workers don't have to rely on tips to survive, and we've backed and funded pay increases for early educators and age carers. Not only is this government supporting working people through tax cuts and higher wages; we're also supporting more Australians to get the opportunity for a job. Our government will help more people get a job with our biggest reform to employment services in 30 years, and we've delivered funding in this budget to start the reform process. It is only a Labor government that backs working Australians and is supporting more Australians into jobs.”
“The combination of these tax cuts means the average worker will benefit by up to $2,800 a year. Not only are we supporting Australian workers through tax cuts; we're also taking action to improve and protect workers' wages. Our government has introduced same job, same pay, which is now delivering pay rises for thousands of Australian workers across this country. We've legislated to protect penalty and overtime rates, which make up an important part of many Australians' pay packets. We've backed our lowest paid workers at the Fair Work Commission each and every year we've been in government. Under our government, the minimum wage has increased by more than $9,000, and we've introduced significant reforms to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining, which is a key source of wages growth.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Barton for her question and for her ongoing commitment to supporting Aussie workers. At the heart of this government's tax reforms in our budget is a rebalancing of the tax system to support working Australians, because they deserve our support. From July this year—and next year—every taxpayer will receive a tax cut because of our government. To support working Australians, we're cutting taxes by introducing a new $250 tax cut through the introduction of the working Australians tax offset. This means more money in the pockets of our nurses, teachers, retail assistants, cleaners and other Australians who earn salaries and wages. On top of this, our budget also delivers on our commitment to introduce a $1,000 instant tax deduction. This will make tax time more simple for millions of workers.”
“Amidst uncertainty about the coverage under the Coal Long Service Leave Scheme, some employers may have paid long service leave under state laws or other instruments because they understood those arrangements to apply at the time. The government is moving this amendment to ensure employers are not required to pay twice for the same period of an employee's long service leave.”
“Allowing for reasonable assumptions supports the government's objective of ensuring workers are not excluded from repayment arrangements due to gaps in historical records. The third amendment ensures the offset arrangements operate fairly. It would expand the circumstances in which employers can reduce the base amount payable to the coal long service leave corporation under a payment arrangement to include certain long service leave payments made during employment. This is in addition to offsets already allowed for certain payments made by employers on cessation. It includes payments made under any state and territory laws, industrial instruments or the National Employment Standards.”
“This amendment would broaden the circumstances where employers can use reasonable assumptions. It supports a fair and workable approach that reflects the age of the liabilities. Safeguards are in place to ensure that any additional assumptions permitted by the amendments are subject to appropriate oversight, and employers may only make reasonable assumptions about employment matters where sufficient information is unavailable. In addition, any payment arrangements must include an audit report confirming that the amount specified in the arrangements is correct. All payment arrangements will be considered by the board of the corporation, which may request further information or documentation in relation to the arrangements.”
“The amendment will insert an additional mechanism to allow the coal long service leave corporation to extend the opt-in period for an individual employer where reasonable grounds exist. The amendment recognises some employers may face genuine circumstances, such as ongoing court proceedings, that could make it difficult to meet the general timeframes. The second amendment addresses the practical realities of historical employment records. Some unpaid levy liabilities relate to service performed many years ago. Employers may no longer hold complete or reliable records of matters, such as hours worked, classification or base rates of pay. Currently, the bill permits a more limited range of assumptions relating to eligible wages, incentive payments and bonuses.”
“They are measured and practical changes that maintain the policy intent of the bill while removing unnecessary barriers for employers. Throughout this process, the government's objective has been clear: we want to connect workers in the black coal mining industry with their long service leave entitlements as quickly as possible while supporting employers to resolve liabilities that in some cases extend more than a decade. The first amendment provides additional flexibility around timeframes for employers to opt into the payment arrangement process legislated by the bill. The bill, as it stands, sets a two-month timeframe alongside enabling the minister to extend this opt-in period for employers generally.”
“The bill enables these liabilities to be dealt with in a structured and sustainable manner while ensuring eligible workers in the black coal mining industry can access their long service leave entitlements as soon as possible. During the debate in the House earlier this year, the bill received support from all sides of parliament, reflecting a shared recognition that these legacy issues need to be resolved in a fair and practical way. The bill was subsequently referred to a parliamentary inquiry. While the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee recommended that the Senate pass the bill, some stakeholder submissions to the inquiry raised three areas where targeted refinement could further improve its operation. The amendments the government is moving today directly respond to that feedback.”
“(20) Schedule 1, item 5, page 24 (line 23) omit "cessation". (21) Schedule 1, item 5, page 24 (line 32) omit "cessation". I rise to speak on the government amendments to the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025. Last November, I introduced the Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 to provide a voluntary pathway for employers to resolve historical unpaid levy liabilities to the Coal Long Service Leave Scheme for workers in Australia's black coal mining industry. These liabilities arose in the context of longstanding disputes about the coverage of the scheme, which were ultimately subject to litigation.”
“(15) Schedule 1, item 5, page 14 (line 29) to page 15 (line 4), omit paragraph 11(c), substitute: (c) if the person does not have sufficient information to work out a matter required to be specified or included in relation to an employee covered by the arrangement—the person may, in working out the matter, make reasonable assumptions about: (i) the employment of the employee; and (ii) the employment of a class of employees of which the employee was a member. (16) Schedule 1, item 5, page 18 (before line 10), before paragraph 17(a), insert: (aa) to refuse to approve a later day to give a notice of intention, under paragraph 5(2)(b); (17) Schedule 1, item 5, page 24 (line 14) omit "cessation". (18) Schedule 1, item 5, page 24 (line 16) omit "cessation". (19) Schedule 1, item 5, page 24 (line 18) omit "cessation".”
“(5) Schedule 1, item 5, page 9 (line 5), omit "paragraph (2)(b)", substitute "subparagraph (2)(a)(ii)". (6) Schedule 1, item 5, page 9 (after line 6), at the end of clause 5, add: (5) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), a day must not be extended beyond the day that is 12 months after the unpaid levy calculation day. (7) Schedule 1, item 5, page 12 (line 23) omit " cessation ". (8) Schedule 1, item 5, page 12 (line 24) omit "cessation". (9) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 1) omit " cessation ". (10) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 3) omit "cessation". (11) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 13) omit "cessation". (12) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 16) omit "cessation". (13) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 18) omit "cessation". (14) Schedule 1, item 5, page 13 (line 30) omit "cessation".”
“(2) Schedule 1, item 5, page 7 (line 16) omit " cessation ". (3) Schedule 1, item 5, page 8 (lines 27 to 29), omit paragraphs 5(2)(a) and (b), substitute: (a) if paragraph (b) of this subclause does not apply: (i) the day (if any) determined under subclause (3); or (ii) if no day is determined—the day that is 2 months after the unpaid levy calculation day; or (b) if the Corporation is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for approving a later day—a later day approved by the Corporation at the written request of the person made before the end of: (i) the day mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subclause; or (ii) a day previously approved under this paragraph. (4) Schedule 1, item 5, page 9 (line 2), omit "paragraph (2)(a)", substitute "subparagraph (2)(a)(i)".”
“I present the supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill. I seek leave of the House to move government amendments (1) to (21), as circulated, together. Leave granted. I move: (1) Schedule 1, item 5, page 6 (line 31) to page 7 (line 9), omit the definition of long service leave cessation payment in clause 2, substitute: long service leave payment , in relation to a person, means a payment made by an employer that was: (a) made to the person, or to the person's legal personal representative; and (b) made: (i) for long service leave taken by the person during a period of employment with the employer; or (ii) in lieu of untaken long service leave, whether made during a period of employment with the employer or when (or after) the person ceased to be an employee of the employer; and (c) made in pursuance (or purported pursuance) of: (i) a law of a State or Territory; or (ii) an industrial instrument; or (iii) the National Employment Standards (within the meaning of the Fair Work Act 2009 ).”
“Together, these changes along with the bill support participation in the payment arrangements, protect workers' entitlements and ensure the bill operates fairly and as intended. I commend the bill to the House.”
“The committee's report recognised the importance of resolving longstanding uncertainty while protecting workers' entitlements and highlighted practical issues around timeframes, historical records and prior long service leave payments. The government has listened carefully, and, shortly, the government will be moving amendments to respond directly to these matters. The government's amendments provide targeted refinement to the bill by allowing limited flexibility to extend opt-in timeframes for individual employers, broadening the use of reasonable assumption when historical records are missing or incomplete and ensuring that employers are not required to pay twice for long service leave they've already provided.”
“I'd like to thank all the members who have contributed to this debate. The Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave) Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 is about delivering fairness and certainty for workers in the black-coal mining industry and supporting employers. The bill creates a practical, time limited pathway for employers to resolve unpaid levies in a manageable way so workers can access their lawful entitlements without delay. The bill also introduces an effective penalty for late levy payments that promotes employers' timely compliance with their obligation and contributes to the Coal Long Service Leave Scheme's long-term sustainability. I'd like to acknowledge the work of the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee and thank all those who made a submission for their constructive engagement.”
“Our government has committed in this budget $312 million as a down payment to establish the key new elements of this system because every person in our employment services system, no matter how far they are from the labour market, deserves a clear pathway to employment.”
“The first and most important change is that we are ending the 'one size fits all' approach to servicing. We are creating three distinct, high-quality service streams offering different intensity of support depending on an individual's distance from the labour market. The second change is the introduction of effective mutual obligations that are designed to actually help people get a suitable job and that are calibrated to a person's distance from the labour market. Third, we are overhauling the assessment and triaging process so barriers to employment are identified early. And, fourth, we are introducing a new planning process which supports people to develop employment goals and work towards them.”
“We must change the system to provide more targeted support and better calibrate employment services that help Australians into jobs. So today I announce that our government is embarking on the largest reforms of our employment service system in 30 years—reforms that will help jobseekers get the right support at the right time and reforms that will deliver improved value for money by directing resources to where they are needed the most. Of course, these reforms build on the very important work done by the member for Bruce as Chair of the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services, and I'd like to recognise all the members of that committee for their very substantial report. The system overhaul that we are performing will be centred around four main changes.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Boothby for that question but also for the absolutely huge contribution she's made to reforming employment services. Under this Labor government, we've seen the lowest average unemployment rate of any government in the last 50 years. We've seen the creation of more than 1.2 million jobs, and, in the past 12 months, we've seen more than 128,000 more Australians in work. But, unfortunately, there are still too many Australians missing out on the benefits of work, because for decades our employment services system has treated everyone the same regardless of their skills and experience or the barriers to work that they face. Around one in five Workforce Australia participants have been in employment services for five years or more, almost double the number of a decade ago.”
“Well, they need to be honest. Do they support low-paid working Australians? Does he support the lowest paid workers in Australia, or will he just back vested interests?”
“Workers covered by enterprise agreements are enjoying the strongest wages growth in the nation, rising by 9.6 per cent on average in the latest ABS data. Now, these are all part of our plan to ease cost-of-living pressures and help Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. But I am asked if there are any other approaches, and, of course, we do have a different approach from those opposite. When they had the chance to vote for tax cuts for working Australians, what did they do? They voted against working Australians. But they didn't stop there. They took that promise to an election to up the taxes on working Australians. Of course, they voted against every single measure we've taken to support working Australians. In fact, I just heard the Leader of the Opposition argue against our advocacy for a minimum wage increase.”
“These tax cuts build on our commitment to help working Australians earn more and keep more of what they earn. Of course, it's this Labor government that has backed the lowest paid workers at the Fair Work Commission each and every year, and this year Labor has again made a submission advocating to the commission for an economically sustainable real wage increase for workers on minimum award wages. Under our government, the minimum award wage has increased by more than $9,000, directly helping 2.7 million award reliant workers. We've also introduced significant reforms to reinvigorate enterprise bargaining, and enterprise bargaining continues to be a source of wages growth for Australian workers.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Blair for not only that question but also his commitment to hard-working Australians in his electorate and right around the country. Now, this budget is all about supporting workers and levelling the playing field. Because of this Labor government, hard-working Australians will be receiving five tax cuts, meaning the average worker will benefit up to $2,800. From 1 July this year, every Australian taxpayer will receive a tax cut and will again on 1 July next year. The Albanese government is delivering a new $250 tax cut to the 13.3 million workers in this budget through introducing the new working Australians tax offset. We're also introducing a $1,000 instant deduction to provide tax relief for workers and make tax time easier.”
“Loretta was working the same job as direct employees and went above and beyond, clocking in for Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas Day, but she was still paid less than the people she was working alongside. Loretta fought to be paid equally, not just for herself but for the hundreds of other labour hire workers she worked alongside, and she told me that, with this decision, she finally feels properly valued for the work and is now recognised for the experience she brings. It's our laws that are delivering for workers like Loretta—close to $7,000 more per year—because Labor is the only party in this House that will back coal workers in Queensland and back workers right around the country.”
“In good news for working people, these laws are delivering pay increases to more than 8,000 workers and improving job security right across Australia, because these laws are about giving workers a fair go. I want to point out that we are so committed to these laws that we made sure that the Fair Work Commission understood this principle earlier this year when it came to coalmine workers in Central Queensland. Yes, it was this government that was on the side of coalminers in Central Queensland, and just last week the Fair Work Commission upheld the principle, which has delivered higher rates of pay for hundreds of coalmine workers across Central Queensland—workers like Loretta. Loretta is a haul truck driver at a Central Queensland coalmine who has been doing this work for the past three years as a labour hire employee.”
“I'd like to thank the member for McEwen for the question and for his advocacy for working people in his electorate. Of course, it is only a Labor government that is on the side of working Australians. In this budget that this Labor government delivered and that this Treasurer delivered, we delivered tax cuts for working Australians, and this is built on tax cuts we'd already delivered—ones that those opposite wanted to deny working Australians. It's not just through tax cuts that we are supporting working Australians. We are doing it through the laws that we pass in this parliament. Some of those very important laws were our same job, same pay laws, because they were driven by a very, very simple principle: that working people and their wages should not be undercut by labour hire.”
“An exciting part of the Ignite Futures initiative is the Future Makers 2.0 program, a 12-week startup program that is offering aspiring young entrepreneurs valuable mentorship with local businesses, along with seed funding to get them started. Renata, a young entrepreneur with an interest in fashion and design, is excited to participate in this program to gain knowledge about starting and growing her own business. Young people are making a difference every day. We as a government are investing in young people. Finally, I wanted to give a shout-out to all those young people that came out at Anzac Day for our youth vigil. They stood guard at the memorial overnight to lead into the dawn service. I thank Callum Barrott-Walsh, an aspiring young leader, all the committee, along with all those volunteers and young people that made it possible.”
“Not only do we continue to see the North-South Corridor investment but I'm really pleased that this will have over 600 apprenticeships, ensuring that that investment not only improves South Australia's infrastructure remarkedly but invests in our young people. It builds on, for example, the recent opening of the duplication of Main South Road from Seaford to Sellicks, which is now open, which supported 30 apprenticeships. So we are using government money to build infrastructure and support apprentices as well. In my local community, the Strong and Resilient Communities program is partnering with the City of Onkaparinga on Ignite Futures, designed to support young people aged 15 to 18, helping them build confidence, acquire the relevant skills and establish pathways to meaningful employment.”
“The Albanese Labor government is firmly focused on delivering for Australians, and that includes young Australians. I have to say, whether it is making it easier to get into homeownership, whether it's the investment in TAFE or whether it is ensuring that young people are able to get job opportunities, particularly in my home of South Australia, it is the Labor government delivering. I did want to highlight a couple of things. One thing in particular is the AUKUS project, which not only provides a huge defence capability for our country but so many job opportunities for South Australians not just today, not just tomorrow, but for decades to come. The investment in last night's budget really continues that work to ensure that it's delivering. There is investment in South Australia's critical infrastructure.”
“It is only a Labor government that has and will take strong action to secure our fuel supply and help people with the cost of living and keep Australia moving.”
“Frank, a truck driver who was in parliament this week, said the amendment would go a long way to helping truckies manage rising costs. I am pleased to report to the House today that these laws are already having an impact. Zac, a truck driver, told me that the passage of these laws is already making a difference by encouraging negotiations. He said businesses are now coming to the party to make sure our higher fuel costs are covered, and this is a good thing. Truckies and transport operators, like Zac and Frank, deserve the increase in fuel costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East to be shared fairly across the supply chain and not be forced to shoulder these rising costs alone.”
“In addition to these measures, we have halved the fuel excise for three months to make fuel cheaper for Australians. These measures are making a real difference across Australia, including to our road transport industry. The Australian Trucking Association chair, Mark Parry, describes these combined measures as a lifeline. In addition to these measures, I am very pleased to inform the House that Labor's fairer fuel bill passed the Senate on Monday. This bill creates an urgent pathway with a high threshold that allows truckies and transport operators to argue for a fairer share. Labor's fairer fuel bill has been welcomed right across the transport industry by the industry operators, the owner-drivers and, of course, the unions.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Lalor for her question and, of course, her ongoing advocacy for truck drivers right across this country. The spike in fuel prices as a result of the conflict in the Middle East is putting pressure on families and businesses. Of course, our government recognises these are challenging times for Australians, including for our road transport industry, and that is why the Albanese Labor government has taken swift action to secure our fuel supplies and ease pressures on businesses, households, truckies and the transport sector. Our government has reduced the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero from today for three months to help truckies continue their vital work for our nation. The government has also deferred the next schedule increase in the heavy vehicle road user charge by six months.”
“I'm very pleased to inform the House that this morning the independent Fair Work Commission has ruled that young adult workers should earn adult wages. This government welcomes the decision to abolish junior rates for 18- to 20-year-olds working in retail, fast food and pharmacy. Today's decision means that tens of thousands of young adult workers will earn more at this important time in their lives. In its decision, the commission considered the need for time for employers and businesses to adjust and has recommended that these pay rises be phased in. Young adults face unique challenges in getting a start in life, keeping up with the cost of living and building economic security. I would like to recognise the SDA union in particular for pursuing this issue in the commission and their advocacy for young workers.”
“As a result of this government's reforms, we have also made sure that gender equality is at the heart of the Fair Work Act, which has led to the commission delivering for workers who have been undervalued for too long. It has been our government that has funded wage increases for our hardworking aged-care workers and early childhood educators—recognising the very, very important work they do. It is this government that has legislated to protect penalty rates and overtime rates for workers who deserve to be properly paid for working unsociable hours. This is a real opportunity to thank all of those who will be working over the coming Easter weekend. This Labor government is also restoring balance at the Fair Work Commission so that both workers and employers get a fair hearing before the commission.”
“I'd like to thank the member for Deakin for his question and, of course, his strong commitment to workers keeping more of what they earn. This Labor government is absolutely committed to getting wages moving again, especially for our low-paid workers. It is this Labor government that has advocated each and every year for a wage rise for workers on minimum award wages. On the Thursday that's just been, our government made a submission—again—to the Fair Work Commission, calling for an economically sustainable real wage increase for our lowest paid workers. This would help almost 2.7 million workers right across the country. Over the term of this Labor government, minimum wages have increased by over $9,000 a year.”
“Australian Trucking Industry CEO Mathew Munro said: The Senate must pass the bill as it stands before it rises for … Easter … Our government is taking urgent action to support Australia's trucking industry, and our government will continue to take practical action for our trucking industry.”
“This is to ensure that trucking companies and owner-operators are not left to absorb the cost pressures on their own. This measure delivers a fair go for our transport industry. This has been widely welcomed by transport industry representatives along with unions. This important legislation is currently before the Senate, and I would urge all senators to listen to the calls from truck drivers and the trucking industry, and pass this legislation as a matter of urgency. Peter Anderson, CEO of the Victorian Transport Association, who is in parliament today, has called for support for this legislation and said that this amendment will bring certainty and direct support to all road freight operators throughout Australia. Bikram, an owner-driver from Brisbane, said that we need this legislation.”
“This, of course, includes National Cabinet's national fuel security plan, the announcement that our government will reduce the heavy vehicle charge to zero and halve the fuel excise for three months, along with deferring the next scheduled increase in the heavy vehicle road user charge for six months. These measures are important to help reduce the cost for the trucking industries and owner-operators around the country. The Albanese Labor government is also taking action to ensure the cost pressures in relation to fuel are shared fairly throughout the transport industry supply chain. That's why we have amended the Fair Work Act to enable the Fair Work Commission to respond more quickly to contract chain order applications in time-sensitive circumstances.”
“I thank the member for Blair for his question and for his ongoing commitment to Australia's trucking industry and, of course, many of the truck drivers as well. Our road transport industry is vital to keeping our nation's economy moving. Without trucks and their drivers, the movement of essential supplies across Australia would stop. We know that the conflict in the Middle East is putting pressure on Australians, including on Australia's transport industry and Australian truck drivers. Our government is taking practical measures to shield Australian households and Australian businesses from the worst of the impacts of the war in the Middle East, including our truck drivers.”
“Whether it's sticking up for our minimum award wage earners, supporting workers in getting a better deal at work or ensuring workers who are doing the same job get the same pay, it is only this Labor government that can be trusted to support workers right around this country.”
“Since coming to government, the minimum wage has increased by more than $9,000 a year, and, of course, we have legislated to protect penalty and overtime rates for these same workers because they are an important part of their pay packets. Our government is also committed to getting wages moving through reinvigorating enterprise bargaining. Under this government, we've seen a record number of workers on enterprise bargaining agreements—the highest since enterprise bargaining first commenced. The most recent data shows that 2.7 million workers are on these agreements. The most recent data also shows workers covered by enterprise agreements are receiving decent annual wage increases.”
“Our government's submission to the Fair Work Commission advocating for a real-wage increase is supporting these Australians—Australians like James, who I met today, who works in security at the airport. Workers like James rely on award wages to put food on the table, pay the bills and plan for the future. James told me workers like him 'deserve a real-wage increase for all the time and effort they put in to ensure that they can go home and not be stressed'. He said that's exactly what a wage increase will mean. This Labor government has advocated for a wage increase for minimum award wage earners every single year that it has been in government.”