For many years now wealthy backpackers from OS have frequented Australians tourist regions.

In past times they would spend their 12 months traveling and experiencing the wonders of our great land, however, that has all changed.

They sill come here in their droves, however, they generally only spend about two or three months, top up their bank accounts, then go off to the likes of Asia or Indonesia to spend their fortunes.

BTW, they also get paid super!

You see, they are simply 'gobsmacked' by the fact that they can earn up to $40 per hour simply because it's a Sunday.

WE are still the lucky country, it's just not the lucky country for us.

Are we as a nation just going to sit back and watch ourselves self distruct, or what!

Tourisim, retail and hospitallity must be exempt from these rediculious IR laws before we loose these employers.

With specific reference to Sunday trading, I have thought for some time now that we need to rethink the special status afforded to Sundays. We are no longer a churchgoing Christian society, and I think the majority of people have no moral issues with working on that day. I, for one, would love to work on Sunday and give up another day so I could access banks, real estate agents, dentists, post offices and other services during their opening hours, rather than trying to sneak through the door just before closing time (if I get away from work that early).

Perhaps rather than mandating that Sunday is an overtime day, employees in industries that trade seven days a week could nominate their two 'sacred days' on which they will not be called in. They work Sundays at a normal rate, but are guaranteed Friday and Saturday (or Tuesday and Wednesday, or whatever) off. Allow them to nominate for year-long terms, and require that the days are negotiated with the employer on the condition that two consecutive days are provided.

It's not Sundays we need off - it's two days to rest, regroup, get away with family and friends and gear up for the week ahead. By ensuring that those two days are provided, rather than compensating the employee for the 'inconvenience' of working on Sunday, we would quite possibly find ourselves with happier, healthier workers.

Just a thought.

Amazing stuff Rechtub, saw you refer to your fan club having a go at you in another thread, not fair dinkum are you?
The replies to your threads are based on what you say not who you are.
Wealthy back packers?
Hmm ours too? Aussies with about 4 grand in the pack working their way around the world? dangerous stuff that.
And beggar the fruit growers who need them to work,burn those youth hostels built to keep them safe on the way around this country.
We gain a great deal from back packers they spend here do jobs others do not want, tell of us at home.
Some settle here, beggars!
AND THEY GET SUPER!
Gee how dare they!
Now nation wide ANYONE earning over a set amount gets SUPERANNUATION!
Is that evil mate?
One more thread like this and me and the dogs are becoming vegetarians bloke!

Top up their bank accounts?

It's called a working visa, buddy.

They get taxed - some ridiculous amount - on their income and have to buy accommodation, food, entertainment, etc etc...

I'm over butchers. How about cleaning your industry's own act up before whinging about everyone else?

"It's not Sundays we need off - it's two days to rest, regroup, get away with family and friends and gear up for the week ahead." The problem is that if you dont have everyone's day off the same, then getting away with friends and family gets quite hard to organise. Its not that I dont see your point (I'm the same, happy to work different days), but it does throw up other problems. Just think, mum and dad could both work 4 days a week and kids would only have to spend 1 day a week in childcare (although mum and dad would rarely have time off together except holidays). Still a pretty good solution to childcare shortages/costs/dislikes.

Most workplaces don't trade or open seven days a week. School is from Mon-Fri so if an employee has to work when most people are not working and spending time with family, I think a penalty rate should appy.

The cost of penalties are included in the price of products. I can't see employers reducing prices if they made a saving on penalty rates, not when most people are used to paying a particular price for a product.

I reckon some shift workers do earn their penalties like night shift which has a huge impact on health and family life. In fact night shift would be far more of an inconvenience than working on a Saturday or Sunday.