Minimum wage rise debate muddied by unclear arguments
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has gone before Fair Work Australia to argue their case for a 26 dollar-a-week rise in the minimum wage. They say they’re looking out for the interests of those who are most vulnerable in our society. Business groups say that low income households are already set to receive assistance in the form of overcompensation for the carbon tax, and maybe even a school kids bonus from the government this year. Because of that, they’re saying that a large increase in the minimum wage isn’t required.
In the midst of all this you could be forgiven for being confused about the impact of a minimum wage rise on fairness and equality in Australia. To sort through the arguments, The Wire spoke to two economists, but we begin this story with the ACTU’s case for a significant rise in the minimum wage.