Shorten 'not interested in interfering' in wages debate

Labor leader Bill Shorten says he doesn't believe in interfering in wage negotiations between companies, workers and their representatives.

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten at a press conference as part of the 2016 election campaign in Darwin, Friday, May 27, 2016. Source: AAP

Labor leader Bill Shorten won't interfere in wage negotiations between employers, their workers and trade unions.

His comments follow a deal the CFMEU struck with big construction firms for a 15 per cent wage rise over three years, which Deloitte predicts could add between 5 to 15 per cent to the cost of Victorian state-funded infrastructure projects.

"I am not about cutting peoples' wages, I am not interested in trying to interfere in commercial negotiations between employers and employees," Mr Shorten told reporters in Darwin on Friday.