Mr Toff and his race to the bottom free market. During the pandemic who have been some of the greatest beneficiaries of government "socialist" welfare, big business. Crown Casino with its James Packer pocketed $64 million in government 'Jobkeeper', Gerry Harvey's billion dollar business empire pocketed $12 million, paying big bonuses to executives and share holders, while returning record profits. Airlines that are profiteering with $38,000 tickets, were at the same time paid hundred of millions of taxpayer money.

As for the minimum wage, how many small businesses are paying $10/hour cash in hand, while at the same time pocketing GST, working the cash economy, and making bogus tax claims.

We have millionaire asset holders receiving aged welfare for life, around $25 billion/year. Very generous governments payments to these people who failed to make provision for their retirement, this sees some living very high on the hog, driving new cars and watching big screen TV's etc etc.

Try reading my post again Diver.

I did say it was the cost of brass feed stock that destroyed any chance of local production.

It is the wage cost in the heavily unionised heavy industry that is the problem, not at the bottom end in the small factory/workshop.

I have never employed people on award wages. If they are not worth more than the award I don't want them. I used to run wage rate challenges. I would set a higher turnover I wanted/needed to achieve. If it was achieved for 3 consecutive months everyone in the company got a 5% wage rise. It was a poor year if we didn't get 3 rises, & staff tended to stick around.

A good company is one where the staff talk about "US" rather than "THEM"

A good company is one where the staff talk about "US" rather than "THEM"
Hasbeen,
If only the Public Service crowd would share that mentality !

Wages are very high but the real nail in the coffin are the sub contractors. They charge like wounded bulls, have no outlays apart from tools, write everything off & have no responsibility !