Latest news with #GreyNomads
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Mal Hingston: Liberal candidate says older Australians ‘happy' to work for $10 an hour
A Liberal candidate has come under fire after making comments about piece rates for fruit pickers and hinting at the Coalition's stance on minimum wage cuts during a local forum. Mal Hingston, candidate for the seat of Braddon, spoke to Tasmanians at a breakfast networking session hosted by Burnie's peak business body on Wednesday last week. When asked about how to work around 'tight' employee rules and regulations, and its impact on small businesses, Mr Hingston said recent reforms had brought 'unintended consequences'. 'We inadvertently killed off the Grey Nomads … they used to come down here, they'd spend their winters up in Bowen picking mangoes and then they'd come down to Tassie and just plod along,' he said. 'They were happy with ten bucks an hour or whatever it was. '(It) was a social outing for them and they'd pick some fruit and veggies. They're getting their pensions and they didn't care about the low hourly rate. 'And now they don't want to go fruit picking anymore or they don't want to get employed for fruit picking because they don't want to work that hard to justify minimum wage.' The current national minimum wage sits at $24.10 per hour, regardless of job or industry. It was introduced by the Albanese Government on July 1, 2024, which saw a 3.75 per cent hike on minimum and award wages, boosting the pay of almost a quarter of Australians in the workforce. 'We're going to rewind some of the stuff that Albanese's done to a lot of the industrial relations changes and just put things back to the way they were,' Mr Hingston added. The Liberal candidate is understood to have a portfolio spanning eleven houses, an aircraft and a boat. The comments have been slammed by Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus, who believes they reveal the Liberal Party's stance on workplace relations policy. 'The Liberals' Mal Hingston sees nothing wrong in expecting older workers to work for piece rates of $10 an hour. He'd like low wages to come back and confirmed that's what a Dutton Government would try to do if elected,' she said. 'What that would mean, is an expectation that older Australians should be prepared to work for as little as $10 an hour, and to be grateful for the social outing it gives them. 'It means a total lack of government support for minimum wage increases in the upcoming annual wage review, which sets the floor under the wages of all award-reliant workers.'
Perth Now
28-04-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Candidate under fire for wage comment
A Liberal candidate has come under fire after making comments about piece rates for fruit pickers and hinting at the Coalition's stance on minimum wage cuts during a local forum. Mal Hingston, candidate for the seat of Braddon, spoke to Tasmanians at a breakfast networking session hosted by Burnie's peak business body on Wednesday last week. When asked about how to work around 'tight' employee rules and regulations, and its impact on small businesses, Mr Hingston said recent reforms had brought 'unintended consequences'. 'We inadvertently killed off the Grey Nomads … they used to come down here, they'd spend their winters up in Bowen picking mangoes and then they'd come down to Tassie and just plod along,' he said. 'They were happy with ten bucks an hour or whatever it was. Liberal Party candidate for Braddon Mal Hingston (middle) said older Australians were 'happy' to work for $10 an hour – more than half of the national minimum wage. Supplied Credit: Supplied '(It) was a social outing for them and they'd pick some fruit and veggies. They're getting their pensions and they didn't care about the low hourly rate. 'And now they don't want to go fruit picking anymore or they don't want to get employed for fruit picking because they don't want to work that hard to justify minimum wage.' The current national minimum wage sits at $24.10 per hour, regardless of job or industry. It was introduced by the Albanese Government on July 1, 2024, which saw a 3.75 per cent hike on minimum and award wages, boosting the pay of almost a quarter of Australians in the workforce. Addressing a breakfast networking session hosted by Burnie's peak business body, Mr Hingston responded to questions about the local economy and small businesses. Zoe Phillips Credit: News Corp Australia 'We're going to rewind some of the stuff that Albanese's done to a lot of the industrial relations changes and just put things back to the way they were,' Mr Hingston added. The Liberal candidate is understood to have a portfolio spanning eleven houses, an aircraft and a boat. The comments have been slammed by Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus, who believes they reveal the Liberal Party's stance on workplace relations policy. 'The Liberals' Mal Hingston sees nothing wrong in expecting older workers to work for piece rates of $10 an hour. He'd like low wages to come back and confirmed that's what a Dutton Government would try to do if elected,' she said. 'What that would mean, is an expectation that older Australians should be prepared to work for as little as $10 an hour, and to be grateful for the social outing it gives them. 'It means a total lack of government support for minimum wage increases in the upcoming annual wage review, which sets the floor under the wages of all award-reliant workers.' The Coalition has been contacted for comment.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Aussies flock to caravan park for unique reason: 'They're easy'
As scores of couples and families take to the great outdoors to explore the country's beautiful landscape, some Aussies are looking to break away from the crowds and find their own 'quiet' slice of heaven. While caravanning has been a popular travel choice for retirees, otherwise known as Grey Nomads, for decades, parents with young children are now joining in on the fun — with some even living on the road full-time. However, the trend has led to a dramatic increase in visitors descending on caravan and campsites in each state and territory, subsequently creating a 'cut-throat' industry. This is partially what led Debbie and her husband George to sell their kid-friendly caravan park in the Whitsundays — which they ran for 25 years — and open the adult-only Gum Tree Lodge and Bush Camp in Howard, near K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island. 'We had lots of facilities for the kids, but obviously we cared for the nomads in the winter when they do that yearly migration,' Debbie told Yahoo News Australia. Despite the 'lovely concept', the business owner said she often heard retirees say they didn't need any of the additional facilities aimed at the younger crowds. 'These caravanners have got these beautiful vans that have got absolutely everything on board, and they don't need anything else,' Debbie said. 'So we thought we would build something really basic and cater for an over 50s audience because they're easy. 'They don't want to kids running around their sites with their scooters, and to hear 'Daddy, Daddy, Daddy' — they just want something really quiet, safe, and peaceful.' The Gum Tree Lodge and Bush Camp opened up to retirees travelling in a self-contained van or motorhome in 2020, and now boasts 50 powered sites and a handful of powered deck sites that overlook dams on the rural property. There are no toilets, BBQs or camp kitchens here. The site is for fully self-contained caravans, but a dump point is available. After being contacted by numerous younger Aussies also seeking a child-free stay, the site changed to an adult-only facility this year. 'We were getting inquiries from 30 to 40-year-olds that have got all the necessary stuff — a self-contained van — but they were sort of shy about coming in,' Debbie said. 'So we just thought we'd open it up for them, and that'll obviously create a few more customers for us. But also we thought it would just change the conversations around the campfire and stuff, which would make a bit more interesting for all of us.' 🫧 Warning over 'silent caravan killer' costing Aussie travellers $10,000 🚐 Alarming detail in footage triggers warning about growing 'danger' 💦 Aussie caravan family's warning after 'gross' discovery on the road While dogs and cats are allowed, anyone under the age of 18, or without the appropriate equipment, are not. There is a limit of two people per site. 'They have to have a shower and toilet inside their van. We're also not allowed to take tents or swags,' Debbie told Yahoo. 'We're very conscious about creating a really special place for people.' And the niche idea appears to have paid off, with visitors reportedly 'just loving the concept'. 'We get lots and lots of return visitors and lots of interest from people that want to come and stay. You know, they might be down south and on the way sort of thing, or it's earmarked for a stay in the future.' Numerous Aussies have commented on the bush camp's social media, agreeing it is a 'relaxing and very peaceful' place. 'We have stayed here so many times and keep coming back,' they added. 'Thanks for having us, we love it here,' another said, while someone else deemed it 'one of the best' holiday stop-offs. Adult-only caravan parks are not yet widespread in Australia but appear to be gaining attention as the demand for diverse camping experiences increases. New data released late last year revealed more Aussies than ever before are looking for child-free flights. 'We're seeing a huge demand in people wanting to travel without kids,' James Kavanagh, Flight Centre Travel Group Managing Director, told Yahoo. 'Travel operators are responding to the interest by launching… experiences across airlines, cruising and touring.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
