Wow David, what a breath of fresh air for once. BTW,nothing effects tourism more than the Ozzie dollar, when it's low, like today, it booms, when it's high 96c+, it suffers.

Cobber, what has changed is the rates employers are forced to pay now. Whereas Sunday rates were in the order of 1.5, I believe they are now as high as 2.5.

The simple math.A meal at a pub, say $30.
$10 is cost, $10.50 wages, $3 GST, leaves $6.50 gross profit.

Sunday, Cost still $10, wages now $26.25, GST $3, gross profit ($9.25 LOSS)

So you add a 15% surcharge, common on Sundays now, the loss is less but still $4.75.

Thus is why that pub meal now costs $40 because the only saving that can be made is in the cost.

I had a steak at the Goldie last night, cost me $45 fir a 350 gr. rump. The cost of that is around $6.30 at wholesale prices.

Thus is why restaurants and the likes close on Sundays and P/hols which is why unemployment is so high.

So so long as people like yourself think the way you do, and refuse to move with the changes, people will remain out of work.

The ball is in your court my friend, but you're not the only one in the game you control.

Don't get over excited Butch It is not compulsory spending. It is a very contentious line, to lower wages for a specific service. which i say is over serviced and may need regulating. That is the other option on the table.

Do we go with the employers or do we go with the workers. Employers are not in the job of providing extra employment when they have sufficient staff as is.

With eliminating over servicing will protect workers. Employers are not the most trusted people on this planet.

No one should expect to start up in business and expect a living is assured. Because employers can adjust the pay scale at will.

That is not the way to go. Workers need to have a livable wage for age with a 38 hr / wk.

Faustino,

I think your no-minumum-wage is harsh. It is the lower educated, unskilled workers who are most likely to be exploited by unscrupulous employers, and I believe that they are entitled to dignity and respect, even if they are unable to rise higher.

I must also say that I have not noticed any "upturn" in the economy.

I do agree with you on the matter of payment for value and wealth added to the business, though.

Imacentristmoderate,

You might be interested in one of the books I have on the go currently: 'Return To Order' by John Horvath". I think it has a lot to offer as a way out of our current mess. I was hooked merely by the foreward and introduction. God and faith are mentioned a couple of times, but you can overlook that (if you wish) and still learn a lot. I downloaded it from Amazon onto my ereader. I don't know if it's available in hard copy.

ttbn, thank you for that, will check it out. my 2 favourites are

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_the_Scots_Invented_the_Modern_World

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100247847/how-we-invented-freedom-and-why-it-matters/

Well it's slightly off-topic, but Doog stated:

"Employers are not the most trusted people on this planet."

So whom do you all think ARE the most trusted people on this planet?