One thing this election is highlighting is Australia's working poor, individuals and families that have an income that is barely meeting needs, let along providing any kind of luxuries in life. The old adage that; "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" is certainly true in Australia. The bun fight between the parties over wages and housing demonstrates there is a general malaise within the underlying economic conditions for Australia's working poor. Australia is heading in the direction of having a growing underclass of poor folk in employment than ever before. If allowed to continue, big cuts to the living standards of low-income earners, driven by surging costs of living, can lead nowhere else than to an unacceptable standard of survival for many more Australians.

The immediate election issue of Labors support for a $1/hour increase for our lowest paid workers on the minimum wage was welcomed by the majority. Morrison's support for the big end of town with another; "its not my job" nonsense. Sure, Morrison doesn't set minimum wages, the Fair Work Commission does that, but he could have shown leadership and solidarity with ordinary Australian's by echoing Labors call. Does this guy Morrison really care about ordinary Australian's? Me thinks not.

You do know I presume Paul, that your "working poor" in Australia are the highest paid of any anywhere. Not that that helps them when the cost of living has got so high. Many of these costs have been forced by poor regulations imposed on employers, & the economy in general.

I am more concerned about the casualisation of the workforce. This leaves many unable to get housing & other loans, even though their income may be adequate. This is a perfect example of unintended consequences that arise from too many regulations forced upon employers making permanent staff too dangerous to have.

It is hard to understand why an employer is expected to hire an employee for life, when that employee can leave ant tine with a weeks notice.

With the huge cost of getting rid of bad employees, or excess staff in a down turn, regulations have dictated casualisation to the detriment of everyone.

Dear Paul,

Poverty is poverty, period.
If you consider poverty to be a problem, then deal with it, directly, without interfering with whatever private agreements and arrangements people make with each other.

The state should have never been involved with what it calls "employment" - that is none of its legitimate business:

Just because two people agree between them, possibly among other things, that 'A' will do such-and-such work for such-and-such time and 'B' will give them something(s) in return, whether that be money, gratitude, other work in return, sex, mentoring, a place to live in, the hand of their daughter in marriage or whatever, does not warrant labeling the one "employer" and the other "employee", then ordering them what they may or may not agree on.

- Have a problem with poverty? then deal with poverty.

And once there is no longer poverty, once nobody is hungry or cold, then naturally people will not agree to make unsuitable agreements between them that would not serve them!

---

Dear Hasbeen,

«I am more concerned about the casualisation of the workforce.»

Are you not ashamed of thinking of people as "workforce", in other words as slaves? What business of yours is whether, how and when they choose to work for each other?

You are further concerned that people would not be able to get loans... why are you so keen for people to get loans? so that they will be further encumbered, further enslaved for life?

Hi Paul,

I began watching the Liberal Campaign launch in
Brisbane and learned that elections do bring out the
worst in some people. I ended up turning it off. I found
it cringe-worthy and embarrassing . It was so artificial
and "dressed up" with their so called - "achievements,"
the emphasis being on what a great leader Morrison
was. So why does he want to change suddenly? Oh that's
right the pandemic is over? Actually it's not.

What these people don't seem to realize is that no matter
how they try to "dress things up" the hip pocket or the
cost of living for many people is what is important and
the electorate cares about who can deliver on the
fundamentals of their lives. Pretty basic stuff.

It seems that to the Libs elections are not about delivery
but about creating illusions. And boy, they were determined
to create one at this launch. Therein lies the difference
between the two major parties. Anthony Albanese talks
about how he's going to deliver whereas Morrison talks
about what a success
he's been thus far. Really?
Albanese supports a rise in award wages.
While Scott Morrison says a decent rise
is a terrible idea that would damage the economy.

History may well judge this to be the misstep that could cost
Morrison the election. Successful Liberal Leaders like John
Howard know to never be caught within close distance of a sign
saying "Wages Should Be Lowered."

This is not the way to woo outer-suburbs battlers to the Liberal
cause.

Hi Paul,

I forgot to add that having spoken to many of our
family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours,
who've previously been Liberal supporters
for most of their lives - have now decided to go
for Independents.

Dear Paul,

«Does this guy Morrison really care about ordinary Australian's? Me thinks not.»

One does not need to be old and wisened to tell that - Morrison is a politician and no politician ever cared about ordinary people, nor would any of these predators do so in future.

Would you like to know when such a miracle can happen?
It is said that at the end of days...

"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest" [Isaiah 11:6-8]

... only then shall a politician care about ordinary people!