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hmmmm. pretty sure min wage isn't $13. I get $10 per hour.
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It's been way above $10 for a long time. It's currently $13.46 according to Wikipedia and the article below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage#Australia
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/10/26/business/pay.php
The Queensland minimum is slightly higher at $528/week:
http://www.wageline.qld.gov.au/awardsonline/qmw.html
This kind of [censored] (along with all the other massive entitlements) will harm the economy over time. We just can't compete in many industries at these rates. My father runs a business (makes a consumer product) and put the price up 50c to cover these increases. That translates to around 65c on Woolworths shelves where the product is sold. He is also now less competitive in export markets. Welcome to inflation, [censored].
This is why I think Australians who voted Labour are a bunch of whiny [censored]. You've got the best IR laws in the world but you won't give the tiniest bit back to allow employers to make executive decisions and cull extra staff and worthless employees. Instead you want a brain dead mediocrity where unproductive and useless employees are protected, and you're too stupid to understand that it's productivity that drives real earnings in the long run. Well, rot in hell, bitches. I'll enjoy collecting the money off your high interest loans and the higher prices you pay on supermarket shelves.