3 Million Workers to Receive 3.5% Wage Increase as Albanese Unveils $460M Freeway Project

Nearly 3 million Australian workers will receive a 3.5% wage increase starting July 1 following a Fair Work Commission decision, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday during a joint press conference with Western Australian officials in Perth.

The wage boost, which affects minimum wage and award wage earners, coincided with Albanese's announcement of a $460 million partnership between federal and state governments to upgrade the congested Kwinana Freeway, marking his first major infrastructure commitment since winning re-election one month ago.

"This shows, once again, real wages increasing," Albanese said at the Perth traffic management center. "We know there have been cost of living pressures. When we came to office, inflation had a six in front of it and was rising. It now has a two in front of it with 2.4% and is falling."

The wage decision represents a significant victory for workers struggling with cost-of-living pressures, with the increase running approximately 1% higher than the current inflation rate. Albanese emphasized that real wages had declined for five consecutive quarters when Labor took office, but have now increased for five straight quarters.

"This decision today will be welcomed by people who keep our economy going, the essential workers who need this wage increase in real terms," Albanese said.

---

Truth matters. Quality journalism costs.

Your subscription to Mencari directly funds the investigative reporting our democracy needs. For less than a coffee per week, you enable our journalists to uncover stories that powerful interests would rather keep hidden. There is no corporate influence involved. No compromises. Just honest journalism when we need it most.

Not ready to be paid subscribe, but appreciate the newsletter ? Grab us a beer or snag the exclusive ad spot at the top of next week's newsletter.

---