Unions say government needs to put workers at heart of Budget

6:47 am today

Council of Trade Unions president said this year's budget needs to help the 70 percent of workers who've seen their pay cut.

Union leaders say the government budget this week needs to emulate the recent Australian budget, with a focus on workers doing it tough in the cost-of-living crisis.

In its budget this month, the Australian Labor government provided low-income workers with modest tax relief, while at the same time hiking taxes on capital gains.

Council of Trade Unions president Sandra Grey said in this year's budget the government needs to help the 70 percent of workers who've seen their pay cut in real terms due to the weak economy and high cost of living.