❓ Ms. Freeman questions the fairness of the government's proposed 2% wage increase for low-paid workers, given higher increases in essential service fees. The Treasurer defends the wage policy, prioritizing employment over wage increases for low-skilled workers.
AnsweredQoN 443Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC
SECTOR — STATE WAGE CASE
443. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the average increase in fees, charges and tariffs
of 3.8 per cent, including increases to essentials such as electricity and
water of 4.5 per cent, and the government's submission to the state
wage case that the lowest paid workers in the state should receive only a two per
cent wage increase.
(1) How is it
fair that the government wants to slug the lowest paid workers by more than the
government believes it is reasonable to pay them?
(2) If wages
policy is cast in stone at the consumer price index, why does the Treasurer not
keep the government's promise to keep increases to fees and charges to
the rate of increases to the CPI?
SECTOR — STATE WAGE CASE
443. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the
Treasurer:
I refer to the average increase in fees, charges and tariffs
of 3.8 per cent, including increases to essentials such as electricity and
water of 4.5 per cent, and the government's submission to the state
wage case that the lowest paid workers in the state should receive only a two per
cent wage increase.
(1) How is it
fair that the government wants to slug the lowest paid workers by more than the
government believes it is reasonable to pay them?
(2) If wages
policy is cast in stone at the consumer price index, why does the Treasurer not
keep the government's promise to keep increases to fees and charges to
the rate of increases to the CPI?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2)
I thank the member for the question. We increased electricity and water charges
by 4.5 per cent, and the overall basket of goods increased by 3.8 per cent. The
inflation rate is about 2.25 per cent to 2.5 per cent. On the issue of wage
rates, I am more interested in people on low incomes having work. In today's
market, if we increase the wages of people with low skills —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to order for the first time. You have asked a
question; at least wait for the Treasurer to answer. You can have a
supplementary question.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : In
today's job market, if wages are increased for low-skilled workers at
the margins of the workforce, today's employers simply will not hire. The
member might find it equitable to legislate for a significantly higher increase
to the minimum wage, but I am more interested in employment. I am not a union
leader arguing for a higher minimum wage. The state wage case submission
increase is the same as the increase in the minimum wage. The member is asking
for a higher increase, as I am sure she did as a union leader. I accept that is
the responsibility of a union leader, but as Treasurer I am more interested in
the aggregate employment, whether or not people are in a union. In today's
market, if the minimum wage is increased for low-skilled people at the margins
of the workforce, we would just get higher unemployment.
I thank the member for the question. We increased electricity and water charges
by 4.5 per cent, and the overall basket of goods increased by 3.8 per cent. The
inflation rate is about 2.25 per cent to 2.5 per cent. On the issue of wage
rates, I am more interested in people on low incomes having work. In today's
market, if we increase the wages of people with low skills —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to order for the first time. You have asked a
question; at least wait for the Treasurer to answer. You can have a
supplementary question.
Dr M.D. NAHAN : In
today's job market, if wages are increased for low-skilled workers at
the margins of the workforce, today's employers simply will not hire. The
member might find it equitable to legislate for a significantly higher increase
to the minimum wage, but I am more interested in employment. I am not a union
leader arguing for a higher minimum wage. The state wage case submission
increase is the same as the increase in the minimum wage. The member is asking
for a higher increase, as I am sure she did as a union leader. I accept that is
the responsibility of a union leader, but as Treasurer I am more interested in
the aggregate employment, whether or not people are in a union. In today's
market, if the minimum wage is increased for low-skilled people at the margins
of the workforce, we would just get higher unemployment.
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