It has been 112 years since J.B. Higgins made his historic ruling that employers must pay a minimum (basic) wage that allowed the average worker and his family to live in "frugal comfort". A wage that met "the normal needs of an average employee, regarded as a human being in a civilised community". In 1907 H V McKay the owner of the 'Sunshine Harvester Co' was one of Australia's richest and largest employers. The company also had a reputation for poor pay and conditions for its employees, McKay was growing fat by exploiting workers to the max.

It was a landmark decision that established the basic wage at a modest 42/- per week for the lowest paid workers in 1907. Here we are 112 years later and Bill Shorten and Labor fine it necessary to again argue the case for fair pay for the lowest paid workers. In six years of Conservative rule, with no wages policy, and despite their claims of an economic miracle under Conservative rule, there has been no increase in real wages, the number of working poor is ever increasing, the rich are getting even richer, profits are skyrocketing, as the poor grow even poorer.

In my opinion Bill Shorten and Labor are onto a winner with wages as a key election issue.

It has been 112 years since J.B. Higgins made his historic ruling that employers must pay a minimum (basic) wage
Paul1405,
It has been 30 years since I've been arguing that we also need a salary ceiling for those on public funding.
Were this to be implemented, the present minimum wage would increase dramatically without any actual raise.
I believe it is sometimes called economic management !

Dear Paul,

The Fair Work Commission has handed down its
annual ruling on Australia's minimum wage -
raising it by 2.4% to $672.70 a week. This
means an increase of $15.80 per week for
the 1.8 million workers currently on the
basic wage.

Looking at the basic wages around the globe -
Australia stacks up rather well:

Australia - $17.70 per hour
UK - $14.66 per hour
NZ - $`4.22 per hour
France - $14.98 per hour
Germany - $13.17 per hour
Canada - $10.45 - $13.81 per hour
US - $10.08 per hour
Japan - $10.01 per hour
Mexico - $5.50 per hour
Czech Republic - $3.93 per hour
Brazil - $341.16 per month
India - $3.09 - $7.44 per day

Aren't you glad you live in Australia?

Labor's onto a real vote winner.

cont'd ...

My apologies - NZ's wage should read - $14.22 per hour
not $4.22.

'Aren't you glad you live in Australia?

Labor's onto a real vote winner.'

Maybe Foxy. We are a blessed nation however if the idiotic greens/gw alarmist keep getting their way the of heating and cooling will certainly make $17p/h look pitiful. Certainly the minnimum wage is just one aspect of economic fairness.

Paul1405 Quote "In my opinion Bill Shorten and Labor are onto a winner with wages as a key election issue."

If people are stupid enough to vote Labor just to get a little more money now, watch how quickly they will wake up when their jobs go overseas the dollar value drops and they have to pay much more for products and services. Also taxes will have to rise and government services cut.