Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Finance, Minister for Women, Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Vice-President of the Executive Council) (14:23): I thank Senator Walsh for the question and for her years of advocacy in supporting wages for workers across this economy. Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston. Senator GALLAGHER: It is good news that we have seen the fastest increase in wages for some time. Senator Ruston: Real or nominal, Katy? The PRESIDENT: Senator Ruston, I've called you. Senator GALLAGHER: I know Senator Ruston hates it, but the reality is— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Ruston interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Minister, please resume your seat. Order on my left! Senator Ruston, that's three or four times I've called you. Minister Gallagher, please continue. Senat or GALLAGHER: The reality is that, under the former government, wages were growing at 2.4 per cent for average workers, and they are now increasing by 3.9 per cent in the first year of the Albanese government. Workers are always better off under a Labor government, because they know that we have their back, that we care about the wages they earn, because we know what a difference it makes every day and every week, when you're putting your household budget together, if you are seeing improvements in your wages and improvements in the security of your jobs. That's what those opposite spent 10 years undermining. They undermined wage increases. They undermined job security. And we are here in yet another area cleaning up the mess that was left behind by those opposite. The average worker is earning $1,400 more a year under the wages increases under our government than if wages had continued to grow in the way they had been growing under the former government, at just 2.4 per cent. That's $1,400 more for the average worker to help pay their bills, put food on the table and deal with some of those cost-of-living increases. So, workers are better off from wages under this government, and they always will be. Those opposite spent their whole time trying to undermine them and make sure wages went backwards. (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Walsh, a first supplementary?