Labor continues to be concerned about the underlying structural problems of high underemployment and stagnant wages growth across the nation. Although there was a very modest increase in the number of jobs created last month, it is clear that there is still more to be done.

The youth unemployment rate continues to be double the national average at 11.3 per cent.

The underutilisation remains at 13.3 per cent. That’s approximately 1.8 million Australians who want work, or more work, but can’t find it.

Labor also notes with concern the Government’s attempt to spruik a 2.1 per cent annual increase in private sector wages as a positive shift in stagnant wages growth.

This Morrison Coalition Government is nowhere near reaching the average percentage wage rates that the previous Labor Government or in fact the Howard Government had under their leadership.

It’s clear that Scott Morrison and Kelly O’Dwyer are so out of touch that they have no idea what too many Australian workers are experiencing – insecure work, stagnant wages and skyrocketing costs of living pressures.

It is unbelievable that, having presided over the lowest wage growth figures on record, the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government supports cutting wages by slashing penalty rates while spending years advocating for a $17 billion tax handout to the banks.

Brendan O’Connor MP, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (pictured above)