❓ Hon Charles Smith questions the Treasurer on plans to address collapsing wage growth in WA due to COVID-19, citing low wage growth figures. The Treasurer refutes the claim, highlighting stronger wage growth compared to previous years and outlining government stimulus and recovery plans.
AnsweredQoN 440Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
WAGE GROWTH
440. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Australian Bureau of
Statistics latest labour price index for the March quarter 2020, which revealed
plummeting wage growth in the lead-up to COVID-19 lockdown, with WA having the
lowest wage growth at an anaemic 1.8 per cent. What plans does the government
have to stop wages growth collapsing even further as mass unemployment
manifests in the coming months?
WAGE GROWTH
440. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the minister representing the
Treasurer:
I refer to the Australian Bureau of
Statistics latest labour price index for the March quarter 2020, which revealed
plummeting wage growth in the lead-up to COVID-19 lockdown, with WA having the
lowest wage growth at an anaemic 1.8 per cent. What plans does the government
have to stop wages growth collapsing even further as mass unemployment
manifests in the coming months?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some
notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the
Treasurer.
The
honourable member is incorrect. In the lead-up to the COVID-19 restrictions,
the increase in Western Australia's wage price index of 1.8 per cent in the March 2020 quarter was the
strongest rate of annual growth since 2015–16. This is
consistent with the general improvement in the state's economy since
the 1.7 per cent contraction in gross state
product in 2016–17. At the time of the last election, annual wage growth
was a modest 1.2 per cent—the lowest result on record. Of course
the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the state's positive
growth trajectory, as it has with the
national and global economies. The state government has responded with around
$1.8 billion in stimulus and support measures, and economic recovery
planning is underway. This includes approvals and procurement reforms designed
to cut red tape and to bring forward investment in new roads and other
infrastructure. These reforms and investments will support economic activity
and local jobs.
notice of the question. The following answer has been provided to me by the
Treasurer.
The
honourable member is incorrect. In the lead-up to the COVID-19 restrictions,
the increase in Western Australia's wage price index of 1.8 per cent in the March 2020 quarter was the
strongest rate of annual growth since 2015–16. This is
consistent with the general improvement in the state's economy since
the 1.7 per cent contraction in gross state
product in 2016–17. At the time of the last election, annual wage growth
was a modest 1.2 per cent—the lowest result on record. Of course
the COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted the state's positive
growth trajectory, as it has with the
national and global economies. The state government has responded with around
$1.8 billion in stimulus and support measures, and economic recovery
planning is underway. This includes approvals and procurement reforms designed
to cut red tape and to bring forward investment in new roads and other
infrastructure. These reforms and investments will support economic activity
and local jobs.
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