Will The Government Accept This Report

[grandmoon]

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.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/institute-of-public-affairs-calls-for-the-abol...

[boris1gary]

---

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

---

Probably $1.80 now.

[spotweldersfriend]

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

[the_great_she_elephant]

(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.

[spotweldersfriend]

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

[spotweldersfriend]

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.

[debra9275]

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

[boris1gary]

---

@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..................

[spotweldersfriend]

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 🙂

[boris1gary]

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.

[spotweldersfriend]

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.