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Dutton stops short of backing wage rise above inflation for lowest paid workers Dutton stops short of backing wage rise above inflation for lowest paid workers
(about 1 month later)
Anthony Albanese puts pressure on opposition leader after Labor’s submission to Fair Work Commission supports rise to keep up with inflationAnthony Albanese puts pressure on opposition leader after Labor’s submission to Fair Work Commission supports rise to keep up with inflation
Peter Dutton says he supports higher wages for 2.9 million low-paid workers but has stopped short of backing a pay bump higher than inflation as he blames Anthony Albanese for the cost-of-living pressure on households.Peter Dutton says he supports higher wages for 2.9 million low-paid workers but has stopped short of backing a pay bump higher than inflation as he blames Anthony Albanese for the cost-of-living pressure on households.
Switching his election campaign focus from health to wages, the prime minister, on Wednesday, called for an above-inflation pay rise for workers on the minimum wage and award.Switching his election campaign focus from health to wages, the prime minister, on Wednesday, called for an above-inflation pay rise for workers on the minimum wage and award.
Labor’s submission to the Fair Work Commission’s latest annual wages review said the increase should be “economically sustainable”, noting inflation was returning “sustainably” to the Reserve Bank’s target band.Labor’s submission to the Fair Work Commission’s latest annual wages review said the increase should be “economically sustainable”, noting inflation was returning “sustainably” to the Reserve Bank’s target band.
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As with previous years, Labor’s latest submission did not nominate a percentage figure for the increase.As with previous years, Labor’s latest submission did not nominate a percentage figure for the increase.
The Albanese government’s submissions to previous reviews called for wages to keep up with inflation, meaning workers’ pay wouldn’t go backwards amid the cost-of-living crisis.The Albanese government’s submissions to previous reviews called for wages to keep up with inflation, meaning workers’ pay wouldn’t go backwards amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The commission last year announced a 3.75% increase to the award and the minimum wage, taking it to $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week.The commission last year announced a 3.75% increase to the award and the minimum wage, taking it to $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week.
That increase was roughly in line with the inflation rate at the time.That increase was roughly in line with the inflation rate at the time.
Inflation has since fallen to 2.4%.Inflation has since fallen to 2.4%.
“We know that they (low-paid workers) are doing it tough, and that’s why we want to support a real pay increase for those workers in our country,” Albanese told a press conference at a childcare centre in the Liberal-held seat of Deakin in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.“We know that they (low-paid workers) are doing it tough, and that’s why we want to support a real pay increase for those workers in our country,” Albanese told a press conference at a childcare centre in the Liberal-held seat of Deakin in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
The prime minister was confident small businesses could handle the extra cost, arguing low-paid workers would reinvest the money into the economy rather than save it.The prime minister was confident small businesses could handle the extra cost, arguing low-paid workers would reinvest the money into the economy rather than save it.
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Labor believes Albanese’s decision to support an increase to the minimum wage in line with inflation was a turning point in the 2022 election campaign, after then prime minister Scott Morrison attacked the then opposition leader as a “loose unit” on the economy.Labor believes Albanese’s decision to support an increase to the minimum wage in line with inflation was a turning point in the 2022 election campaign, after then prime minister Scott Morrison attacked the then opposition leader as a “loose unit” on the economy.
Asked for the Coalition’s position on the commission’s annual wage review, the opposition leader said he supported a pay rise but stopped short of matching Labor’s call for one higher than inflation.Asked for the Coalition’s position on the commission’s annual wage review, the opposition leader said he supported a pay rise but stopped short of matching Labor’s call for one higher than inflation.
“We support wage increases – of course we do,” Dutton told a press conference in the seat of McEwen in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs.“We support wage increases – of course we do,” Dutton told a press conference in the seat of McEwen in Melbourne’s outer northern suburbs.
“Families have gone backwards under this government. There have been seven consecutive quarters where families have been in recession. That’s been the legacy of the Albanese government.”“Families have gone backwards under this government. There have been seven consecutive quarters where families have been in recession. That’s been the legacy of the Albanese government.”
Dutton wouldn’t nominate a percentage figure for the wages increase in the absence of advice from Treasury and the finance department.Dutton wouldn’t nominate a percentage figure for the wages increase in the absence of advice from Treasury and the finance department.