Treasurer Jim Chalmers has called on the Coalition not to vote against landmark tax reforms set to be debated later this week, as he backs a substantial increase to the minimum wage. Source: News.com.au.
The Fair Work Commission is expected to announce any change to the minimum wage this morning at 10am. Currently, the minimum wage is $24.95 per hour, or $948 per week.
Mr Chalmers yesterday said the government had called on the commission to announce a “substantial real wage increase for millions of Australian workers”.
“Decent pay and conditions is a really important way that we help people with the cost of living,” he said.
“We’ve been very supportive throughout when it comes to increases in the minimum wage … That’s what the submission that myself and (Employment Minister) Amanda Rishworth have put in to the Fair Work Commission.”
The commission is independent from the government, from which it receives submissions on any changes to the minimum wage.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions asked the Commission for a six per cent pay rise for three million award wage workers last month.
Meanwhile, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is requesting a “moderate increase of 3.5 per cent” to the National Minimum Wage.
Inflation is now running at 4.6 per cent.
Mr Chalmers has previously indicated inflation will go up to five per cent – which could lead to any rise in wages coming in lower than the inflation rate.
Any increase to the minimum wage will come into effect from July 1.
It comes as Parliament prepares to debate changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing announced in the 2026-26 budget.
Mr Chalmers said the forthcoming sitting week was big week in the economy, and that the reforms were “all about cutting taxes for workers and making it easier for people to buy their first home”.
“We call on the Coalition not to vote against housing and not to vote against tax cuts again like they did in their first term,” Mr Chalmers said.
In 2025, the Coalition voted against a tax offset and instant write-off contained in that year’s budget.
FULL STORY
Treasurer backs ‘substantial’ minimum wage raise on eve of Fair Work Commission decision (By Nathan Schmidt and Tia Clarkson-Pascoe, News.com.au)
