30th August, 2006
The Australian Fair Pay Commission has completed its public consultation process for the 2006 wage review. The consultation process began in early July and included 18 public consultation sessions around the country.
Five of the sessions were focus groups, held especially to ensure the Commission heard the views of:
- The indigenous community
- The unemployed
- Workers with a disability
- Apprentices and juniors
- Casual and piece workers and those who employ them
The information gathered during these consultations, and those held with key stakeholders, will be considered along with research findings and submissions.
Research has been commissioned on the following topics:
- Impact of changes in net income on employment decisions
- Interactions between wages and the tax/transfer system
- Minimum wages and employment
- Characteristics of employees on the Standard Federal Minimum Wage (FMW)
During its inaugural wage review process, the Commission has met with over 100 stakeholders across the country and received more than 180 submissions from interested organisations and individuals.
Professor Ian Harper, Chairman of the Australian Fair Pay Commission, said:
“The consultations have been a successful way for the Commission to hear from interested people throughout Australia. We have found consistent issues regardless of location.”
“Issues the public have asked us to consider as part of the wage review process include the cost of living, inflation, increasing petrol costs, the notion of a living wage and the importance of the low paid being able to provide for their families.
“We are grateful to everyone who attended. Their feedback on the process as well as on the issues was most helpful. Participants evaluated the sessions and the results were used to improve the format and the conduct of the sessions.
“As a result of evaluation, we extended the time of the sessions, reduced the number of questions and adapted five scheduled public consultations into focus groups.
“On behalf of my fellow Commissioners, I would like to thank everyone who took part in this historic process. The information gathered will provide valuable direction to us as we explore the myriad issues surrounding changes in minimum wage rates.
“These are complex issues and we have appreciated the input of everyone who has made the effort to get involved.
“We are now spending the coming weeks exploring these issues and will report back to the Australian public with a decision before the end of November.”
For full summaries of the public consultations, more details on research and copies of submissions, please visit the website www.fairpay.gov.au.
ENDS