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...

[*crikey*mate*]

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.

[carls*world]

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.

[*crikey*mate*]

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

[lind9650]

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 😞

[debra9275]

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?

[debra9275]

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"

[boris1gary]

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

[boris1gary]

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@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 😞

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the idle rich.

[debra9275]

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