Wage rise not enough for lowest-paid workers: union
An increase to the minimum wage won't be enough for the nation's lowest-paid workers to live on, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.
The Fair Work Commission announced its decision to lift the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent on Tuesday, with almost three million low-paid workers set to earn an extra $32 a week.
The rise will come into effect from July, with the minimum wage rising to $24.95 an hour, benefiting more than one-fifth of the workforce.
Sally McManus, the secretary of the ACTU, said workers had gone backwards in real terms and needed to catch up to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We used to have this idea in Australia that a full-time wage should be a living wage, like one you can live on, and we don't anymore, because it's slipped back," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"So we will be sort of setting our sights in the future about making sure that the very bottom number of the minimum wage, which is less than 50 grand, is actually a livable wage."
Federal Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was disappointed the coalition had labelled the decision another expense for small business.
"I'm not sure that the argument that we pay people less and we don't see our lowest paid workers get a wage increase, is actually the answer to what is broadly the discussion in this country, which is how do we improve productivity," she told ABC's RN.
While the boost in pay packets is set to lead to small growth in the wage price index, economists say the change won't be substantial enough to alter the likelihood of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates later this year.
National Australia Bank senior markets economist Taylor Nugent said there would be little impact on the wage price index, which is examined by the central bank when deciding whether or not to alter the cash interest rate.
"We don't see any implications of (the Fair Work Commission's) decision for our own or official wages growth forecasts," he said.
CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun said the commission's decision is set to put a lower limit on inflation.
"(The) decision of a real wage increase will tend to put something of a floor under inflation without an improvement in productivity performance," he said.
The business sector has hit out at the wage decision, saying the increased labour costs would result in many employers having to lay off staff.
The Council of Small Business Organisations had argued for a wage rise of between two and 2.5 per cent.
Mr Colhoun said the commission's decision sought to strike a balance between a wage rise for workers alongside uncertainty in the global economy.
An increase to the minimum wage won't be enough for the nation's lowest-paid workers to live on, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.
The Fair Work Commission announced its decision to lift the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent on Tuesday, with almost three million low-paid workers set to earn an extra $32 a week.
The rise will come into effect from July, with the minimum wage rising to $24.95 an hour, benefiting more than one-fifth of the workforce.
Sally McManus, the secretary of the ACTU, said workers had gone backwards in real terms and needed to catch up to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We used to have this idea in Australia that a full-time wage should be a living wage, like one you can live on, and we don't anymore, because it's slipped back," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"So we will be sort of setting our sights in the future about making sure that the very bottom number of the minimum wage, which is less than 50 grand, is actually a livable wage."
Federal Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was disappointed the coalition had labelled the decision another expense for small business.
"I'm not sure that the argument that we pay people less and we don't see our lowest paid workers get a wage increase, is actually the answer to what is broadly the discussion in this country, which is how do we improve productivity," she told ABC's RN.
While the boost in pay packets is set to lead to small growth in the wage price index, economists say the change won't be substantial enough to alter the likelihood of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates later this year.
National Australia Bank senior markets economist Taylor Nugent said there would be little impact on the wage price index, which is examined by the central bank when deciding whether or not to alter the cash interest rate.
"We don't see any implications of (the Fair Work Commission's) decision for our own or official wages growth forecasts," he said.
CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun said the commission's decision is set to put a lower limit on inflation.
"(The) decision of a real wage increase will tend to put something of a floor under inflation without an improvement in productivity performance," he said.
The business sector has hit out at the wage decision, saying the increased labour costs would result in many employers having to lay off staff.
The Council of Small Business Organisations had argued for a wage rise of between two and 2.5 per cent.
Mr Colhoun said the commission's decision sought to strike a balance between a wage rise for workers alongside uncertainty in the global economy.
An increase to the minimum wage won't be enough for the nation's lowest-paid workers to live on, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.
The Fair Work Commission announced its decision to lift the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent on Tuesday, with almost three million low-paid workers set to earn an extra $32 a week.
The rise will come into effect from July, with the minimum wage rising to $24.95 an hour, benefiting more than one-fifth of the workforce.
Sally McManus, the secretary of the ACTU, said workers had gone backwards in real terms and needed to catch up to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We used to have this idea in Australia that a full-time wage should be a living wage, like one you can live on, and we don't anymore, because it's slipped back," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"So we will be sort of setting our sights in the future about making sure that the very bottom number of the minimum wage, which is less than 50 grand, is actually a livable wage."
Federal Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was disappointed the coalition had labelled the decision another expense for small business.
"I'm not sure that the argument that we pay people less and we don't see our lowest paid workers get a wage increase, is actually the answer to what is broadly the discussion in this country, which is how do we improve productivity," she told ABC's RN.
While the boost in pay packets is set to lead to small growth in the wage price index, economists say the change won't be substantial enough to alter the likelihood of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates later this year.
National Australia Bank senior markets economist Taylor Nugent said there would be little impact on the wage price index, which is examined by the central bank when deciding whether or not to alter the cash interest rate.
"We don't see any implications of (the Fair Work Commission's) decision for our own or official wages growth forecasts," he said.
CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun said the commission's decision is set to put a lower limit on inflation.
"(The) decision of a real wage increase will tend to put something of a floor under inflation without an improvement in productivity performance," he said.
The business sector has hit out at the wage decision, saying the increased labour costs would result in many employers having to lay off staff.
The Council of Small Business Organisations had argued for a wage rise of between two and 2.5 per cent.
Mr Colhoun said the commission's decision sought to strike a balance between a wage rise for workers alongside uncertainty in the global economy.
An increase to the minimum wage won't be enough for the nation's lowest-paid workers to live on, the Australian Council of Trade Unions says.
The Fair Work Commission announced its decision to lift the minimum wage by 3.5 per cent on Tuesday, with almost three million low-paid workers set to earn an extra $32 a week.
The rise will come into effect from July, with the minimum wage rising to $24.95 an hour, benefiting more than one-fifth of the workforce.
Sally McManus, the secretary of the ACTU, said workers had gone backwards in real terms and needed to catch up to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We used to have this idea in Australia that a full-time wage should be a living wage, like one you can live on, and we don't anymore, because it's slipped back," she told ABC radio on Wednesday.
"So we will be sort of setting our sights in the future about making sure that the very bottom number of the minimum wage, which is less than 50 grand, is actually a livable wage."
Federal Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth said she was disappointed the coalition had labelled the decision another expense for small business.
"I'm not sure that the argument that we pay people less and we don't see our lowest paid workers get a wage increase, is actually the answer to what is broadly the discussion in this country, which is how do we improve productivity," she told ABC's RN.
While the boost in pay packets is set to lead to small growth in the wage price index, economists say the change won't be substantial enough to alter the likelihood of the Reserve Bank cutting interest rates later this year.
National Australia Bank senior markets economist Taylor Nugent said there would be little impact on the wage price index, which is examined by the central bank when deciding whether or not to alter the cash interest rate.
"We don't see any implications of (the Fair Work Commission's) decision for our own or official wages growth forecasts," he said.
CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun said the commission's decision is set to put a lower limit on inflation.
"(The) decision of a real wage increase will tend to put something of a floor under inflation without an improvement in productivity performance," he said.
The business sector has hit out at the wage decision, saying the increased labour costs would result in many employers having to lay off staff.
The Council of Small Business Organisations had argued for a wage rise of between two and 2.5 per cent.
Mr Colhoun said the commission's decision sought to strike a balance between a wage rise for workers alongside uncertainty in the global economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
Tasmania politics in turmoil
Samantha Donovan: And staying in Tasmania, the political situation there remains unclear this evening after the parliament passed a motion of no confidence in the Liberal Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, yesterday. The motion was brought forward by the Labor opposition leader, Dean Winter, who'd raised concerns about Mr Rockliff's management of the economy and infrastructure and his plans to sell off state assets. Plenty of Tasmanians rang in to ABC Radio today with their thoughts on the situation. Opinion: This is not in the interests of the people of Tasmania. Opinion: Yes, I certainly do. What an election. I like that way. It's my choice. It's not their choice who does what. I'd want to change the government. Opinion: I think they've been disgraceful. Opinion: I'd like to see a change of government, but I'd like to see the stadium continue. Opinion: The amount of money that would be swallowed up in a stadium would fund our health, our decrepit health system for months. That's it, money gone. Opinion: If we go to an election, the one thing I'd really say is I hope the Premier is not part of that election. He was the one that had the no confidence vote against them. He should have the dignity to resign. Opinion: My vote would support the candidate who doesn't support the stadium. I feel we've got far greater pressing needs at the moment. I've been on the public housing list for two years and there's over 5,000 people waiting and it's growing daily. Samantha Donovan: For the latest on the political situation in Tasmania, I spoke to the ABC's state political reporter, Adam Langenberg. Adam, is another election in Tasmania now inevitable? Adam Langenberg: Not inevitable, Sam, but everyone in the political sphere here says it's the most likely scenario. People I've been speaking to today say, you know, 75 or 80% likelihood that we head to an election. Of course, there are other scenarios that can play out. The governor can ask another Liberal MP to try and form government. That's something that the party room has not backed in. They say they'll back Jeremy Rockliff to the hilt and it's either an election or the governor tries to ask Labor to form minority government. That's something the Greens here have said they're open to working with Labor, but Labor leader Dean Winter, who moved this no confidence motion, he says under no circumstances will Labor govern with the Greens. So, it's a standoff and means that everyone thinks the most likely scenario is that election, which won't be called until at least Tuesday, if it does happen. Samantha Donovan: Adam, why is Tuesday the significant day? Adam Langenberg: Well, that's because Tasmanian Parliament needs to be recalled so a supply bill can be passed. The Tasmanian Parliament was in the middle of debating the budget, which hasn't passed. It means the Tasmanian public servants won't be paid after August. What that means is if there's going to be an election, there won't be a supply bill passed until well after that. So, there needed to be a mechanism to get them paid in the short term and that's what the supply bill is. And then after that, the Premier will go to the governor and ask for an early election. Samantha Donovan: Do you think the Labor leader, Dean Winter, fully appreciated what he was setting off with this no confidence motion? Adam Langenberg: That he didn't is an argument that's been prosecuted by the Liberals all week. They say they were just trying to change the Liberal leader and that's not something that they would tolerate. But Labor insists they meant what they did. They knew there were lots of scenarios. Maybe their preferred one might have been for Jeremy Rockliff just to have resigned. Well, they say they knew when they moved this motion, the consequences of it, and that it could mean that we head to an election and they were OK with that. Dean Winter has said repeatedly that he can't sit idly by and let Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruin the state. That's his argument. That debt and deficit are heading the wrong way in Tasmania, that the government can't manage major infrastructure projects, that it's going to sell off government businesses and the state can't afford it. So, Dean Winter says he knew full well what he was doing and now it's up to Tasmanians. Samantha Donovan: Adam, if there is another election, do you think Tasmanian voters are going to punish Labor for sending them back to the polls? Adam Langenberg: Well, Dean Winter's got five weeks or six weeks, depending on how long things take to get underway, to convince Tasmanians that it was the fault of the Premier that we're heading here. This is an argument that he's been making already, that the Premier didn't have the supply and confidence agreements he needed to be able to govern and Labor was just doing what any good opposition should do and holding the government to account. That's an argument he's going to have to make to try and win over Tasmanians. Now, we know that some of the party's biggest vote winners, historically, might not contest this time around. Rebecca White in Lyons has already gone to the federal parliament. It looks like Speaker Michelle O'Byrne in Bass might not contest the election. There's two big vote winners for Labor out of the picture, if that eventuates. So they've got their work cut out for them in growing from 10 seats that they hold currently, let alone getting to the 18 required for majority government. But, yeah, a big task in selling to Tasmanians exactly why they've done what they've done. That's something that's sort of got lost in the noise of the last two days because it's just truly remarkable to see a Premier ousted in the way that he has been. Samantha Donovan: The backers and fans of the long-awaited Tassie AFL club are worried it might fold because of this economic turmoil, even before it really gets off the ground. What's the worst-case political scenario for the Tassie Devils club? Adam Langenberg: I think the club will be hoping that there isn't a minority situation where the only way that one of the major parties can form government is in a coalition with an anti-stadium group of independents or the Greens. Because the first thing on their list when they're looking to form government will be, please don't build a stadium in Hobart. That's a reality that the club is really, really concerned about. Now, Labor have already said that they will not drop the stadium and not drop their support for the club going forward. And the Liberals have said the same thing. But in the harsh reality of post-election, when you need to trade to form power, what happens? And that's a real concern for football fans and the football club. And only time will tell exactly how that works out. Samantha Donovan: Adam Langenberg is the ABC's state political reporter in Tasmania.
The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Indigenous, climate advocates put heat on Woodside
A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth." A bid to compel the government to consider a heritage application to protect Indigenous rock art is going to court as three environmental activists declare they "successfully hoaxed" Woodside. The preliminary hearing follows Environment Minister Murray Watt's interim approval of Woodside's North West Shelf extension until 2070, a controversial gas project in Western Australia. The call has flared tensions, with environmental and Indigenous groups arguing it will slow efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and have a ruinous effect on nearby ancient petroglyphs. Mardathoonera woman Raelene Cooper said she was thrilled the case against the newly appointed environment minister was moving forward without further delays. "It's rude to have someone waiting for such a long time," the Save our Songlines co-founder said outside the Federal Court in Sydney. The court determined Ms Cooper's case would be heard in the week of July 14. Senator Watt attached heritage and air quality conditions to the approval and those are yet to be formally agreed to by the Australian energy giant. Ms Cooper said the North West Shelf and other industrial developments at Woodside's Burrup Hub posed risks to the rock art - concerns and evidence laid out in full in a cultural heritage assessment the minister is yet to consider. The Burrup Peninsula, in WA's Pilbara region and known as Murujuga to traditional owners, contains some of the world's largest and oldest collection of petroglyphs. The "section 10" heritage application was originally lodged in early 2022. "I am furious that the minister would make a decision to lock in ongoing and irreversible damage to my country before addressing my application," Ms Cooper said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the conditions attached to the pending approval of the North West Shelf extension would address concerns about the rock art. "The local Aboriginal corporation there, I've met with them in the past, they're very supportive of industry," he told ABC radio on Friday. "They want to make sure there's protection, but they support those jobs and that economic activity." In a separate case, three protesters were fined $10,000 each after targeting a Woodside annual general meeting with stench gas and flares. Disrupt Burrup Hub's Gerard Mazza, Jesse Noakes and Tahlia Stolarski pleaded guilty to charges laid over their protest at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre in April 2023. "Today we were fined for attempting to create false belief — in other words, we pranked Woodside," Ms Stolarski told supporters outside Perth District Court after the verdict. "We are guilty of pulling off a highly successful hoax. "One day, perhaps Woodside and the WA government will be pulled before a court like this one (and) be charged with much more serious crimes, and their victims will be future generations and all life on earth."
West Australian
8 hours ago
- West Australian
Cost-of-living pressures sees Aussies take on a second job
The post-Covid boom in the number of Aussies working multiple jobs continues as higher cost of living pressures means more workers are taking on a second gig. The Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that in the March quarter there were 963,100 Aussies – or 6.5 per cent of the workforce – who had more than one job. While this is actually down from the previous quarter where 999,500 Australians held multiple jobs, it is still a sharp uptick in workers looking to diversify their incomes compared with the years prior to Covid, where around 5 to 6 per cent of Aussies took on a second gig. Seek senior economist Blair Chapman said the spike in cost-of-living pressures from inflation meant more Australians needed to take on extra work. 'We've really seen cost-of-living, especially for employee households, increase quite a lot over the last couple of years,' he said. 'If you've got a mortgage, those repayments have increased quite a bit over the last couple of years so I suspect people have sought a second job just to reach the higher cost of living recently.' Australians are holding onto their second job despite the overall unemployment rate holding firm in recent months, around the 4.1 per cent mark. The main driving force behind this trend is underemployment meaning workers are getting fewer hours from their primary employer than they'd like. 'We are seeing more people being employed in industries where we tend to see a lot of multiple job holdings,' Mr Chapman said. 'For example, we've seen healthcare and social assistance grow and that is one of the industries where multiple job holdings are most common. 'That comes down to the nature of the work, where you have shift work and one business may not be able to provide all the hours an employee wants so the individual has to work across multiple sites to get the hours they are desiring.' Many of these multiple job holders are Australians aged between 20-24, with women more likely to hold a second role over males. In contrast older Australians aged between 60 to 64 are the least likely to hold a second role. 'When we look at a lot of the multiple job holders, they tend to be younger. Maybe it is a university aged person who can't work full-time but can work nights and weekends,' Mr Chapman said. 'While maybe it is not the same job but for them it is probably good they can work multiple jobs with flexible hours.'
