Butch, underpayment of minimum wages and entitlements to workers by many small/medium businesses is rife in Australia. particularly in non-unionised establishments where employers feel they can get away with it.
Just a couple of personal examples I can site. An employer who instead of paying penalty rates on a Saturday, o/t etc, would "shout" the workers pizza for lunch, which cost that multi-millionaire only a small fraction of what should have been paid. Or the fast food operator who had people working 12 hours on a weekend shift for $100 cash in hand, and penalty rates were, the worker could take home the shop leftovers at the end of their shift. These are extreme examples, but not uncommon.
Unless a person is wet behind the ears, you should know all those food outlets with a "Cash Only" sign do that for no other reason than to avoid paying the GST, and any other tax as well. One very wealthy small businessman boasted to me once he had never paid a cent in tax in 18 years of operating what was a very profitable business.
Many employers do, do the right thing, but there is a large body that don't. If this fair work mob comes out with an adverse finding for workers. I would expect a true Labor leader to condemn it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-22/thousands-of-australians-underpaid-denied-entitlements/6189802

If this fair work mob comes out with an adverse finding for workers. I would expect a true Labor leader to condemn it.

And there in lies the fundamental problem with the labor/union alliance Paul, they always think they know what's best and despite having set up the FWC themselves, or have you conveniently forgotten that, ignore the findings if the outcomes don't suit them. How typical!

Another observation is your reference to the multi millionaire small business owner. Just what is you opinion on how many are multimillionaires Paul? It just might be that that's your problem.

As for underpayment of penalty rates, business owners know these rates are unaffordable Paul and, most workers in these industries understand that should they demand them, they will most likely not have a job. They understand this, but obviously you don't. They might not like it, but they understand.

Another observation is your take on businesses with no EFTPOS pocketing all the GST.

Do you think their landlord, or their insurance company, or what about their electricity provider, or even their gas supplier, do you think they accept cash in a brown paper bag Paul.

Once you use these services for a business, you generate an income and if you don't declare an industry standard set of numbers, you get audited. I guess you thought pocketing billions is just so so easy hey.

While I too have my suspicions about this practice, I also know from experience that EFTPOS fees are getting out of hand. Hundreds per week in fees. I'm about to pass them on but will offer a discount for cash, but not for the reasons you think.

Finally, I note you have not accepted my challenge Paul in answering whether or not you shop around for the best deal, because if you do, the savings come from somewhere, meaning you are assisting the very practice you despise. But hey, that's different isn't it Paul.

The old 'do as I say, not as I do' hey.

Bill has already said the decision on workers will stand.

With the pre emptive suggestion of sunday at saturday rates.

If that is the final decision the FWT will be accused of corruption.

They are supposed to be an independent body at a distance from govt;

579, if that is the "decision" of the so called fair umpire, in all fairness lets extend that to include, police officers, firemen, nurses, public transport workers etc etc!

Butch, It is LAW as to what must be paid, so you can't demand workers abide by the law and then have employers breaking it.

"have you (Paul) conveniently forgotten that, ignore the findings if the outcomes don't suit them.

As for underpayment of penalty rates, business owners know these rates are unaffordable Paul and, most workers in these industries understand that should they demand them, they will most likely not have a job. They understand this, but obviously you don't. They might not like it, but they understand.

How typical! Break the law when it suits. Pay and penalty rates are L.A.W. Not something you can simply ignore when it suits.

Yes Paul, while pay and penalty rates may well be L.A.W, employing is a voluntary act by an employer.

What the fair work commission, an independent body set up by the labor government is deciding, is whether or not some of these 'laws' are now counter productive, especially given that society demands a seven day society.

You see unlike the likes of you, the FWC seeks submissions from ALL interested parties, then makes a determination as to what is a FAIR AND BALANCED OUTCOME that best suits the needs of ALL PARTIES.

Like it or not, you are referring to some of the least skilled workers, and while I accept making a great coffee may well be a skill, I would hardly put it into the same category as a police officer, however, if you are talking of an office desk attendant in a police station, then that's a different story.

One of the biggest losers of these rates has been mums, as they were quite willingly doing their Sundays, which also gave the kids some 'Dad time' however as the cost of making a coffee on a Sunday became unaffordable, they were replaced, either by a family member, or a 16YO facebook addict.

So the commission will make its call, and we as business owners will have to accept it.

The point is though, will Labor accept it, and this is where Bill Shorten must confirm his parties standing on this extremely important issue as jobs are at stake, and let's face it, we are headed for a jobs crisis and need to save every one we can.

If you are interested Paul, I will give you the facts as to why Sunday rates are unaffordable. Not to be smart, just to explain the reason.

Butch The car industry is closing down because the govt does not want to subsidise it any more.

You are asking workers to subsidise a coffee shop. So you know what has to be done. Shut the thing down. overrepresentation is its own killer.