rehctub
I would have to agree about superannuation being paid for backpackers and short term visitors. There is no legitimate argument in terms of the drive for self-funded retirment if you are not an Australian citizen.

There could be a good case to be argued to get rid of compulsory super for those on temporary working visas who are for the most part on 'holiday' and earning a bit of play money to continue travelling.

I can't see it affecting permanent citizens in terms of jobs because the percentage of jobs done by backpackers is small and it could be managed by flexibility (as required) around the number of temporary working visas approved each year. Backpacker often perform work in those fields where it is difficult to find staff such as fruit picking.

Super is paid by the employers not the government.
It is a right and removing it would under cut local workers.
It need not be taken home, some 457 and others come back a few times.
Super can be left to mature but surely we do not want to make it cheaper not to employ locals.
If Rechtub worked for a boss, in low paid unskilled work, he may well not consider a low paid forever under class an option.

Yep!, Thought I might hit a nerve to two.

Just a few points.

STG>>They get taxed - some ridiculous amount - on their income

Anyone who works for less than six months gets their tax back. Over to you!

Pelican>>The cost of penalties are included in the price of products.

Now that's where you're wrong. You don't get charged extra for a coffee on Sundays, or, a loaf of bread is no dearer.

Doon>>The problem is that if you don't have every one's day off the same, then getting away with friends and family gets quite hard to organise

My point exactly. Most people only care about themselves and give little regard to the needs of their workplaces.

The end result will be fewer workplaces. Trust me, those days are coming.

One of the 'no brain er' laws recently introduced by labor was to ban surcharges in restaurants.

In days past a restaurant would charge 15% or so on Sundays or public holidays. That's now illegal. Instead, they are expected to have two menu's. Now that's just crazy.

The old system worked fine, so why change it!

That industry is very close to failing. Watch this space!

You people just don't see the big picture. It's not your fault, you live in a world that has been provided to you by someone else taking risks.

Well, I hate to rain on your parade, but those risk takers are having a re-think.

Why do you think the BP come here to work. It's because their countries have slashed wages to survive.

I have to agree that many industries should not have penalty rates. If you chose to go into a 7 day, or 24 hour industry, you know in advance that weekend or night work will apply.

Industries such as tourism & hospitality, public transport, hospitals, road work, farming & many others are 24/7 jobs, & provided they offer fixed shifts should only pay a simple constant hourly rate.

Penalties should apply however to those with rolling shifts, days or hours, as this does make life difficult for those involved.

I never could understand how we allowed ourselves to fall into extended hours, & weekend shopping.

No one makes a profit from this, & staff lives are disrupted for what? Nothing more than the big 2 trying to force out the little guy, & make life harder for the medium guy, who has trouble funding unprofitable trading.

I wonder how much more I pay now, for a box of corn flakes, than I would have payed without extended hour shopping?

rehctub
"Now that's where you're wrong. You don't get charged extra for a coffee on Sundays, or, a loaf of bread is no dearer"

Yes it is. The cost of doing business is built into the price and that means all costs, including penalty rates. The cost of penalty rates is spread during the week.

The only exception is where, for example, restaurants might include a surcharge for public holidays

Good news and bad Rechtub and hasbeen, first the good.
If they work only six months they get the tax back,at best wrong but more likely just a silly guess.
If and only if,your income is under a certain amount you need not put in a return.
In most states we pay a loading for weekend and holiday service,us the customers.
Now the bad federal law far from the only reason we pay penalty rates.
ANY employer trying to pay flat rate wages in roads would have a workforce of zero.
risk taker? having your self on again, put your shops on the market and you will sell them plenty want to fill your shoes.
I can however help, look at the traps councils set to trap pesky Indian minor birds, Rechtub using the right bait you may be able to get some back packers that way, pesky things adding color and interest in a place like Queensland how dare they?