topic Re: Will The Government Accept This Report in Community Spirit

Will The Government Accept This Report

grandmoon — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:10:56 GMT

Institute of Public Affairs calls for the abolition of the minimum wage

It has been a feature of Australia’s social safety net since not long after federation - a minimum wage not set just by market forces, but that considers the living needs of a worker.

But the Institute of Public Affairs - an influential free-market think tank well-connected within the Liberal Party - wants Australia’s minimum wage abolished.

The institute’s Aaron Lane said there was a ‘‘moral case’’ to abolish minimum wages to allow people to experience the ‘‘dignity of work’’.

‘‘Our position is an ideological one and we don’t shy away from that,’’ he said. ‘‘This position can be seen as heartless and wanting people to work for a low wage. But it’s about empowering individuals in being able to choose their own employment.’’

Mr Lane said the current system priced thousands of people out of work and forced employers to cut back staff hours.

‘‘I’m not so concerned about the working poor, I’m more concerned about the unemployed poor,’’ he said.

‘‘Continuing to increase the minimum wage is a threat to the dignity of the unemployed.’’

For this year’s minimum wage decision, to be decided by the Fair Work Commission in June, the institute wants to see it frozen at $16.37 an hour, but its longer-term goal is for there to be no minimum wage at all.It is a radical position.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:16:02 GMT

In an ideal world, I'd like to see it abolished, BUT as it would then be opened up to abuse, we have to have a minimum basic wage.

Same ol' same ol', have to make laws for a few who abuse the system and then everyone else is also affected.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

carls*world — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:21:29 GMT

Abbott, Hockey & Co appear to take IPA's suggestions as gospel. So I think they might seriously consider it. Not a good time to be doing it, with the likes of Her Ladyship Gina demanding $2 an hour workers.
Had this been thought of during Howard's earlier days, when jobs were in abundance, and workers genuinely were in shortage, it would have worked great.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:23:17 GMT

I read somewhere that Ms Gina is facing a few hefty fines for failing to submit some financial forms for a few years.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

lind9650 — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:27:06 GMT

Won't Gina Reinhard love this?

$16.37 an hour will give a worker $572.95 after a 35 hour week, and that is before taxes.

Who is going to gain anything by such ruling?

Erica 😞

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

debra9275 — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:28:22 GMT

I think it's a bit frightening. We have a fairly high cost of living here in Australia. Would the middle class become the 'working poor'.? I hope we're not in danger of becoming a 3rd world country and I wonder if the minimum wage was abolished, would the govt. still be granting all those 457 visas putting even more pressure on Australian's wages.

Don't people already choose their employment to some extent?

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

debra9275 — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:30:24 GMT

I agree with you Carl that there's a good chance they would be considering it. It seems to be one of those "strategic leaks"

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

boris1gary — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:31:54 GMT

‘‘Continuing to increase the minimum wage is a threat to the dignity of the unemployed.’’

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

boris1gary — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:32:53 GMT

@lind9650 wrote:
Won't Gina Reinhard love this?

$16.37 an hour will give a worker $572.95 after a 35 hour week, and that is before taxes.

Who is going to gain anything by such ruling?

Erica 😞

the idle rich.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

debra9275 — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:35:58 GMT

Gina thinks $2.00 a day is enough to pay in wages

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

boris1gary — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:41:51 GMT

@debra9275 wrote:
Gina thinks $2.00 a day is enough to pay in wages

Probably $1.80 now.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

spotweldersfriend — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:41:52 GMT

Why doesn't the IPA pack up and move to Malawi or Burundi.Then they can surround themselves with dignified people.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

the_great_she_elephant — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 07:47:03 GMT

(from the article in the OP) ‘‘I’m not so concerned about the working poor, I’m more concerned about the unemployed poor,’’ he said.

Well, that makes sense - if we turn them all into 'working poor' it saves on taxes, creates more low paying jobs and boosts production and profits for business. One thing you can bank on, none of these increased profits will filter down to the new underclass.

Alsof course, with no limit on how little employees should be paid, we could abolish the dole altogether and start the race to the bottom of the barrel so eloquently described in Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

spotweldersfriend — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:00:56 GMT

Hands up all those who want to be an Okie? 🙂

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

spotweldersfriend — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:06:23 GMT

Actually I'm prepared to work for half wages IF landlords halve their rents.If supermarkets halve the prices of their goods.If utility companies halve their prices.If councils halve their rates.If politicians halve their salaries.And if CEO's and their ilk have their salaries, capped at say $200,000 p.a.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

debra9275 — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:14:36 GMT

Don't forget your gas & electricity bills Spot & petrol prices. We could always go back 100 years and light candles I suppose

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

boris1gary — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:19:13 GMT

@spotweldersfriend wrote:
Actually I'm prepared to work for half wages IF landlords halve their rents.If supermarkets halve the prices of their goods.If utility companies halve their prices.If councils halve their rates.If politicians halve their salaries.And if CEO's and their ilk have their salaries, capped at say $200,000 p.a.

and banks halve their interest rates on loans, and insurance companies halve their premiums, credit card interest rates halved, funeral costs halved..................

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

spotweldersfriend — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 08:19:59 GMT

A lot of mums and dads with teenage kids voted for Tony.If he introduced those measures,their kids could be working for as little as $6 per hour.There'd probably be a double digit swing to Labor.Bring it on 🙂

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

boris1gary — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:55:09 GMT

Looked up aaron lane, the one with such heartwarming words on the dignity of the unemployed in the op, is this the same fellow

youngliberal executive member

Aaron Lane - Vic President

Aaron Lane was elected President of the Victorian Young Liberals in November 2012, after serving as the Male Vice-President from 2010-2012. He attended Deakin University, and worked to re-establish the Deakin University Liberal Students Club. He has completed undergraduate studies in law and economics at Deakin University, and has recently completed a Master of Arts in theology at MCD University. His policy interests include economic policy, industrial relations and law reform. He is currently employed as a lawyer in a commercial law firm.

from the ipa

About Aaron Lane

Aaron Lane is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs. His research is focused on economic policy and industrial relations. Prior to joining the IPA, Aaron was a lawyer at a national law firm, and has lectured in law and economics at Deakin University and the Melbourne Institute of Business and Technology. Aaron completed his undergraduate study at Deakin University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in economics, international trade & economic policy) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). He also holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law, and a Graduate Diploma of Theology & a Master of Arts from the MCD University of Divinity.

Re: Will The Government Accept This Report

spotweldersfriend — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 13:00:21 GMT

Ah Graduate Diploma of Theology.Now I get it.The poorer we are,the more likely we are to be greeted at the Pearly Gates.What a nice young man.