Why doesn't this rather important topic get more attention ?

individual,
>I'm more for balanced salary/wages balance.
Balanced with what? Or is "balanced" just code for "lower"?

>The present minimum wage is already at the upper limit for international competition,
There are many factors that affect our international competitiveness. Reducing wages is probably the one with the second least desirable effect (after reducing environmental standards).

>salaries are already way over the top.
Considering the value of the work done, I don't think that's true in general. The problem is not everyone on a high salary really is doing high value work.

>Especially, the Public Service bureaucracy is an unsustainable luxury wed be better off without.
Did you read my comments about the School Halls Scheme? Do you think we'd be better off paying consultants to do the work instead? Even though that's more expensive and less accountable?

A capable public service is much better value, and should not be regarded as a luxury!

>We must have a limit for Public Service salaries, five times the basic wage would be
>more than generous for the value in return. Anyone wanting to earn more is most
>welcome to do it on merit in private Corporate enterprise where they have to perform
>& where incompetence & uselessness would cut their careers short !
Arbitrarily limiting public service salaries would deprive the public service of the most capable people. Is that really what you want?

And are you under the impression that those on high salaries in the public service don't have to perform?

>No Public servant is worth more than 300-400 Grand/year !
When the decisions made can save or cost many millions, I wouldn't be so sure.

We should crowdsource scrutiny of what the public service does, to ensure that we do get value for money. But artificially capping salaries will not achieve that objective.

Balanced with what? Or is "balanced" just code for "lower"?

Aidan,
Balanced with Public Service Pay.
NO ! Balanced is a maximum base salary of 5-6 times minimum wage. Desire more pay ? get into private Enterprise !
Nobody is asking to reduce wages, only PS salaries !

A capable public service is much better value, and should not be regarded as a luxury!
Agree, why is it not so ?

Arbitrarily limiting public service salaries would deprive the public service of the most capable people.
That's Code for let's not try it in case it works !

When the decisions made can save or cost many millions, I wouldn't be so sure.
When does that ever happen ? Why not pay only after this is proven ?

But artificially capping salaries will not achieve that objective.
Not artificially, cap them full stop & if impressive performance is on display then compensate by a one-off benefit, not just keep paying top Dollar when nothing is achieved !