s.285 - Annual wage review

[1] On 27 November 2025, I issued a Statement on the timetable and draft research program for the Annual Wage Review 2026. The closing date for lodging reply submissions and any submissions relating to data or research published after 27 March 2026 was specified as 24 April 2026.

[2] On 25 February 2026, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) sent correspondence proposing that the closing date for reply submissions be pushed back to 1 May 2026 to allow parties the opportunity to comment upon the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Consumer Price Index to be released on 29 April 2026. This release will include data for the March quarter 2026. This would allow parties to respond to each other's submissions concerning this data in the supplementary submissions to be lodged by 15 May 2026.

[3] I consider that this proposal has merit. Accordingly, the timetable is varied as set out below.

Closing date for lodging reply submissions and any submissions relating to data or research published after 27 March 2026

Closing date for expressions of interest in taking part in consultations

Closing date for lodging post-Budget and/or supplementary submissions relating to data or research published after 24 April 1 May 2026*

*See Parliamentary Sittings 2026.

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