❓ Ms. Freeman questions the Treasurer on whether low consumer confidence in WA is linked to the State Wage Case. The Treasurer defends WA's economic position, citing low cost of living, high minimum wage, and strong employment figures.
AnsweredQoN 444Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC
SECTOR — STATE WAGE CASE
444. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the
Treasurer:
I have a supplementary question. Treasurer, is this not just
another reason that consumer confidence in Western Australia is so low compared
with other states?
SECTOR — STATE WAGE CASE
444. Ms J.M. FREEMAN to the
Treasurer:
I have a supplementary question. Treasurer, is this not just
another reason that consumer confidence in Western Australia is so low compared
with other states?
AnswerView source ↗
I will go back to the cost of living. As I pointed out
yesterday, Western AustraliaXXX ###XXXs cost of living
and its impact on the average household is the lowest of any mainland state.
The minimum wage in Western Australia is higher than the national minimum wage
and the cost-of-living increase is lower. We have the best of all worlds here.
We have the lowest level of unemployment, the highest participation rate of any
state, the highest growth in employment over the last year—that is
fact. Members opposite might like to hallucinate, but they should look at the
data. The unemployment rate is currently 5.5 per cent.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Short
answer, please. Thank you.
Ms J.M. Freeman :
The question is about consumer confidence.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes. In terms of the minimum wage, the way to sustain consumer confidence is by
keeping people in work.
yesterday, Western AustraliaXXX ###XXXs cost of living
and its impact on the average household is the lowest of any mainland state.
The minimum wage in Western Australia is higher than the national minimum wage
and the cost-of-living increase is lower. We have the best of all worlds here.
We have the lowest level of unemployment, the highest participation rate of any
state, the highest growth in employment over the last year—that is
fact. Members opposite might like to hallucinate, but they should look at the
data. The unemployment rate is currently 5.5 per cent.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Short
answer, please. Thank you.
Ms J.M. Freeman :
The question is about consumer confidence.
Dr M.D. NAHAN :
Yes. In terms of the minimum wage, the way to sustain consumer confidence is by
keeping people in work.
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