I believe penalty rates are too high but even more high, infact obscenely high are the pay rates & benefits for public service bureaucrates.
If we want to get some fairness back we'll need to ensure that no ALP Government is elected for at least 15 years unless of course it is an ALP Government with no actors & lawyers & pseudo yodellers & ignorant academics.

You put up a good argument in a perfect world and I would agree with you
But in my experience and i am guessing with the overwhelming rejection of work-choices most bosses/employers are greedy money hungry pigs that if it was legal to employ 10 year old kids and whip them they would.
Maybe we talking about 2 different sides systems here, I am very much at the bottom, My industry is now the lowest paid industry in Australia. We have a very weak union movement. At the other end of town maybe be different at my end if you can get a job hang on to it.At my age 50+ I am just grateful to be working. You would also probably have a different opinion on the new retirement age. I don't know if we would call it class or situation.But in closing WE need protection from governments and employers who else is their. Enter the unions.

Aussieboy,

My wifem in her then job in age care/home nursingm was ripped off under the umbrella of Work Choices, along with the other employees, by the company that employed her.
Some compensation has been received but the Union is still fighting for other outstanding claims.

This company held meetings with staff to discuss wages and conditions, then ignored what they had agreed to and presented the workers with take it or leave "agreements"; they then deliberately underpaid allowances particularly travelling times.

PLease define what are "Obscene Penalty RATES?"

Or are you saying that it doesn't matter what a person works, whether it is night time, or public holidays, they should only be paid as much as some one who works, monday to friday 9-5.

'PLease define what are "Obscene Penalty RATES?" '

Wolly B

It is obscene when you have workers and employers agreeing to conditions but not allowed to open due to having to pay what the employer can't afford.

The problem is a lot more complex than the penalty rates, the cost of dentists, tradesmen have to be tackled just removing or lowering the penalty rates will just effect some of the problem.

When someone can fly to the Philippines for a 1 week holiday and get a new crown and have money left over, cheaper than getting one from a dentist in Australia there is something wrong.

There are a whole lot of occupations and service providers that need to be made more accountable for what they charge.

Attacking ONLY penalty rates will just help the rich get richer.

I would be doubtful if many shops etc pass on the savings the bosses will just get higher salaries or the owners just pocket the money.