Question Time AU

General Debate

Wages and Salaries

House of Representatives · Monday 28 July 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The debate centred on a motion moved by the Australian Labor Party acknowledging government actions on wages and superannuation. Labor members highlighted the 1 July 2025 increase in the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent and a 3.5 per cent rise in minimum wages, arguing these measures improved financial security and addressed wage stagnation. The Liberal opposition contested these claims, citing a decline in real household disposable income and rising living costs as evidence that families were struggling. The motion was supported by Labor speakers who detailed specific policy achievements, while the opposition focused on broader economic pressures and proposed tax changes.

Outcome

The motion was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Matt Burnell (Spence) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Burnell moved the motion to acknowledge government commitments to wages and superannuation. Burnell highlighted the increase of the superannuation guarantee to 12 per cent from 1 July 2025, noting its long-term benefit for retirement savings. Burnell also pointed to the 3.5 per cent minimum wage rise for millions of workers and the introduction of superannuation payments on paid parental leave from 2026. Burnell emphasised reforms such as payday super and enforceable service standards to protect workers' entitlements. Burnell argued that these measures restored fairness after a decade of wage stagnation under the previous government.

Opposition response

Tim Wilson (Goldstein) (Liberal Party) Liberal

Wilson argued that real household disposable income per capita had fallen by 6.3 per cent over three years, contradicting claims of improved living standards. Wilson attributed financial stress to high energy bills and persistent interest rates compared to other OECD nations. Wilson criticised the government's proposed tax on unrealised capital gains, stating it threatened small business and retirement savings. Wilson contended that Australians lacked hope for the future due to rising costs and policy uncertainty. Wilson asserted that the government's rhetoric did not match the economic reality faced by families.