Opposition Slams Government Wage Growth as 'Boast of a Thief'
Liberal MP Tim Wilson launched a scathing attack on the Albanese government's economic record Tuesday, calling recent wage growth "the boast of a thief" and accusing Labor of borrowing from future generations to inflate public sector pay.
Speaking on ABC's afternoon briefing, Wilson dismissed the government's celebration of seven consecutive quarters of wage growth, arguing the increases were unsustainable and driven primarily by public spending rather than genuine economic expansion.
"What we've seen from this wage growth is that the government has been borrowing from future generations to promote particularly public sector wage growth," Wilson said. "While it might be seemingly something the government can boast about in practice, it's coming from future generations to pay for today. It's essentially the boast of a thief."
The shadow minister's comments come as official data shows wage growth over the past year surpassed Reserve Bank expectations and exceeded the Consumer Price Index. Public sector wage growth hit 1% in the June quarter, slightly ahead of private sector growth at 0.8%.
Wilson argued that job creation has been concentrated in government roles or positions dependent on public expenditure, rather than sustainable private sector employment that expands economic output.
"The jobs growth has almost exclusively been occurring either in things that explicitly have occurred in the public sector or also in jobs that have been driven from public expenditure, not from private sector jobs growth," he said.
The opposition MP painted a picture of an economy "feeding on itself" rather than generating genuine wealth creation. He claimed the government was building "a private economy dependent on public expenditure" instead of fostering "a long-term, sustainable, private sector-led economy."
Wilson's criticism extends to next week's planned Economic Roundtable, which he characterized as political theater designed to provide cover for unpopular policies. The event has drawn participation from business leaders, unions and political figures including Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor.
"Initially, it was a productivity summit, then it was a tax hike summit, then it was back to being a productivity summit," Wilson said. "It seems to be a fight between the Prime Minister and the Treasurer about what its agenda is going to be."
The Liberal MP reserved particular scorn for the Australian Council of Trade Unions' proposal for a four-day working week, calling it an attempt to "gaslight workers." Wilson alleged the union movement coordinates with the government to float controversial proposals that will ultimately be rejected, allowing Labor to appear moderate.
"The ACTU has put this plan out there to gaslight workers, frankly," Wilson said. "You get the unions going out and putting out an ambit claim so that the Treasurer can come out afterwards and say, we didn't give the unions everything they wanted."
When pressed for evidence of coordination between the ACTU and government, Wilson pointed to the union movement's formal role within the Labor Party structure.
"Do you really think the ACTU and the government doesn't have conversations about strategy when the Labor Party is literally the political arm of the ACTU?" he said. "The ACTU literally has votes inside the Labor Party and is part of making the decision-making policy."
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Wilson's appearance came hours after Commonwealth Bank reported a 7% increase in full-year profit to $10.13 billion, a figure that dwarfs its major banking competitors. Rather than condemning the outsized profits, Wilson attributed them to government regulation.
"It's very hard banks not to make super profits because they're regulated into that environment at the moment," he said. "I think this is essentially an outcome guaranteed by government policy."
The shadow minister argued that stringent prudential regulation and government deposit guarantees create a low-risk environment that virtually ensures substantial banking profits. He suggested the focus should be on encouraging banks to increase lending to small businesses and first-home buyers.
"What we actually want is banks to be fuelling the growth of other businesses, because that's their purpose, and to be lending so young Australians can buy their own first home," Wilson said.
On international affairs, Wilson criticized the government's approach to Palestinian statehood recognition, arguing Labor had "fallen for" Hamas manipulation following the October 7 attacks.
"On October 7, this is exactly the outcome that Hamas wanted, which was a recognition of a Palestinian state," Wilson said. "The Albanese government has, of course, now fallen for this."
Wilson maintained the Coalition's support for a two-state solution but insisted it must be conditional on Israel's right to exist, security guarantees, and the return of remaining hostages held for more than 650 days.
"The Albanese government has gone on and effectively given the commitment of Palestinian statehood without any of those conditions being met," he said. "They've essentially given a blank check and I think that is wrong."
The opposition has signaled it will participate constructively in next week's Economic Roundtable while reserving the right to be critical where necessary. Wilson said the Coalition was waiting to see what specific proposals the government would advance.
"The Shadow Treasurer is attending the forum in good faith to wait and see what is being put forward by the government," Wilson said. "They're the ones who are going to have to lead the conversation."
The exchange highlights growing political tensions over economic management as both major parties position themselves ahead of the next federal election. Wilson's sharp rhetoric reflects opposition frustration with Labor's messaging around economic achievements, particularly wage growth that has outpaced inflation.
Government ministers have yet to respond directly to Wilson's characterization of wage increases as theft from future generations, though they have previously defended their economic record as delivering real improvements for working families.
The upcoming Economic Roundtable represents a crucial test for the Albanese government's ability to build consensus around productivity-enhancing reforms. With productivity growth remaining sluggish and inflation concerns persisting, the event will be closely watched for signs of bipartisan cooperation or continued political division.
Wilson's comments suggest the opposition will scrutinize any proposals emerging from the roundtable, particularly those involving increased government spending or union-friendly workplace changes. The political dynamics around economic policy appear likely to intensify as both sides seek to define their credentials ahead of the next electoral contest.
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