Agree Nairbe but it is a different subject.
Antiseptic has put it in figures we can all under stand, probably given the reasons for it.
But believe me some workers get more even blue collar, but most get far less.
I am aware figures exist that give the average in comes in areas states and this but unimpressed with its benefit to us.

Are, yes quite right, different subject, sorry.
The selective use of figures and the exclusion of certain demographics in the compilation of data is well intrenched in the system. The unemployment figure is carefully dealt to by making sure anyone with a sore back is on disability and the hords that are on centrelink subsidised study are not included.
The numbers will always be fixed to reflect the best possible outcome, just another reason not to trust government but get one's self educated.

Belly:

I believe that Australia's average weekly wage is double what it is in the US, and probably much better then it is in other parts of the world. We're not perfect by any means, but many people will agree that we're far better off than most elsewhere. To many who come to this country and want to work - opportunities abound.
Jobs are available (sometimes several) and home ownership is still a
real reality - if you're prepared to live further out.

I read in The Age on Saturday, of Sudanese families who moved into Melbourne's western suburbs (Truganina - west of Laverton) in 2008,they bought 500-square-metre block for $135,000. They look back on it now as a bargain. The prices are up to $220,000 and the blocks are 400, 350-square-metres. Apparently the neighbourhood is a very good one and growing. Where else would this be possible for them? In Sudan? - probably just a dream.

In this country, I feel we're very lucky and should count our blessings. Just think of our annual leave, superannuation benefits,
all the public holidays, and the health system (for pensioners especially), many of us don't realise just how lucky we are. But others apparently do - why else is our population growing at such a rapid rate? In 1993-94, after the Kennett government sacked 30,000 government employees, Victoria's population growth sank to as low as 12, 680. Yet 15 years later the population of a single municipality -
Wyndham centred on Werribee - grew by 10,758.

Melbourne's growth in 2008-2009, at first estimated at 93,478, now looks to have been closer to 100,000. And the latest estimate for Victoria's growth is 121,229.

The point I'm trying to make is - our future's is what we make it. Melbourne's incredible rebirth from the ashes of the 1990-91 recession was the product of many creative people, each adding their bit, in their own way, to remake the old town as a wonderfully vibrant, alive city.

The opportunities are in this country for us to succeed.
It's up to us to do so.

Lexi, you're gilding the lilly a bit claiming our wages are double that of the US.

However, even if it was, that is of little importance. What does matter is what you can buy, with what you get.

With lower personal income tax our US mates get more pay in their pay packet. Then you have to look at how far that goes.

Housing at 3 years or less income. Cars at 5 months income, & the fuel for them at less than half the cost of ours. TVs at less than a weeks, & most appliances at similarly low cost, they get much more bang for their buck.

Our dollar may be running at near parity in the market, but when it comes to purchasing power, where it counts, ours looks more like a paso.

The fact that that Melbourne block of land appreciated so much in just a couple of years is reason for worry, not celebration. Just what do these inflated land prices do for the next group of young people aspiring to home ownership? It is not something that will give them great joy, as they look to start in the rat race.

Hasbeen:

I stand corrected. What I should have said that for the lowest paid workers the minimum hourly rate in Australia is more than double of that in the US and the working conditions overall in Australia are better.

Despite the average income in Australia, hard working people are still able to buy and pay off their homes unlike in the US where a large proportion of people pay rent and have a day-to-day existence on their income.

The majority of the people can't afford to buy a lot of what you claim
only the middle to upper classes earn enough to fit into that category.
As in Australia, so too in the US credit is easy (more so in the US)
sooner or later though the debt catches up with people.

Statistics are usally based on averages and does not always reflect the true picture of the extremes.

I am going to now be a PROPHET. and predict the future :)

KENWORTH workers normal rate $28/hour. Saturday Rate $54/hour

PREDICTION. "Kenworth will re-locate it's manufacturing in CHINA within 10 yrs".

Let's hope those mortgages are paid off people. Of course by that time most other manufacturing jobs will have been exported, and the ex Kenworth people will just develop depression and low self esteem.

Oh.. don't worry about the UNION bosses which caused this...'they' will be living it up quite well thanks.