Tuesday, 18 December 2007
The Australian Fair Pay Commission confirmed today, following advice from the Government, it will continue to set and adjust Australia’s federal minimum wages but will discontinue its reviews of Australian Pay and Classification Scales and of junior and training wages in the Australian labour market.
The Commission also announced that it will cease the process of creating and publishing Australian Pay and Classification Scales (Pay Scales).
Commission Chair Professor Ian Harper said the changes to the Commission’s program have been made in light of the Government’s priorities.
He said: “The Commission’s decision to discontinue the reviews of Pay Scales and of junior and training wages, and the creation of new Pay Scales recognises that this work would overlap with and duplicate the award modernisation process announced by the Government.”
Professor Harper said the Australian Fair Pay Commission will continue to undertake minimum wage reviews until the establishment of Fair Work Australia in 2010.
“Advertisements calling for submissions to the 2008 minimum wage review were published in the national press last weekend.
“All Australians are welcome to make a submission. The Commission is interested in receiving a wide range of views on relevant issues and we again encourage all Australians to participate.
“The Commission’s approach to minimum wage setting – which involves extensive community consultations, public and stakeholder submissions, and commissioned research – will continue to underpin the Commission’s work.”
The Commission will receive submissions to the 2008 review until March 14 2008 and will announce its 2008 Minimum Wage Decision next July.
Professor Harper said he looks forward to working with the new Government and receiving its submission to the review as the Commission continues the work of setting and adjusting federal minimum wages for more than one million Australians.
Further details regarding the 2008 Minimum Wage Review can be found at www.fairpay.gov.au or by calling 1300 139 699.
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