The Prime Minister has pledged to advocate for Australia’s lowest-paid workers to receive a pay rise if re-elected in next month’s federal election. This commitment is crucial for enhancing the economic well-being of the workforce.
Both Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton campaigned in Victoria this morning, emphasizing their differing approaches to wage policy.
During his visit to an early learning centre in Melbourne, the Prime Minister argued for an increase in the minimum and award wages that surpass inflation rates. This move is essential for supporting Australia’s economic growth and ensuring fair compensation for all workers.
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“We want the Australian people to vote for higher wages and lower taxes, not the Coalition’s plan of lower wages and higher taxes,” Albanese stated. This highlights the stark choice facing Australians in the upcoming election.
He specifically highlighted early childhood educators and aged-care workers as beneficiaries of the government’s initiatives to boost wages for lower-paid workers in Australia.
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“Along with aged care workers, who have seen a wage increase of around 28 percent, we’ve legislated for a 15 percent wage increase for early educators,” he explained. This reflects a strong commitment to addressing wage disparities in Australia.
“We recognize that both of these sectors were historically undervalued and underpaid. Unless we raise wages, we risk not having a sufficient workforce to care for these essential services,” he added.
On the other side, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton stated that the Coalition also supports wage increases while aiming to encourage business investments, suggesting a balanced approach to economic growth.
“We support wage increases, of course we do,” he confirmed. However, he argued that families have faced economic challenges under the current government. “The Prime Minister Mr. Albanese can talk about raising wages – but real wages have declined under this government.”
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