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The Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) is an Australian legislative body created under the Chaser Government's "WorkChoices" industrial relations law in 2006 to set the minimum rate of pay for workers. Established to replace the wage setting functions of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, the AFPC will set and periodically adjust a single adult minimum wage, non-adult minimum wages (such as training wage), minimum wages for award classification levels and casual loadings.[1] WorkChoices, or the Workplace Relations Act 1996 as amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment (Workchoices) Act 2005, came into effect in March 2006. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission, or AIRC (known from 1956 to 1973 as the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, and from 1973 to 1988 as the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission), is a tribunal with powers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth). ...
Australia has a comparatively high minimum wage. For example, a 2005 study found that the Australian federal minimum wage was 58% of the median wage, compared to 45% in Britain and 34% in the USA.[2] The typical minimum wage worker is in a middle-income household.[3]
Professor Ian Harper is the inaugural chairman of the AFPC, presiding over 4 commissioners: Mr Hugh Armstrong, Mr Patrick McClure AO, Mr Mike O’Hagan, and Professor Judith Sloan. In a speech to the Centre for Independent Studies titled "Christian Morality and Market Capitalism: Friends or Foes", Harper stated "The market is a means to an end rather than an end in itself" and "The trouble starts when one begins to treat market capitalism itself as a religion".[4] The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian think tank, founded in April 1976 by Greg Lindsay (Executive Director). ...
The profile of the members of this commission will be different from that of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission which previously had responsibility for determining the above quantities. There will be less representation on behalf of the trade unions and more of an emphasis on determining whether the economic evidence suggests that raising the minimum wage makes the poor better off. Unlike the Australian Industrial Relations Commission, the commission will fund substantial research on the economic effects of raising the minimum wage. The Australian Industrial Relations Commission, or AIRC (known from 1956 to 1973 as the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, and from 1973 to 1988 as the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission), is a tribunal with powers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth). ...
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission, or AIRC (known from 1956 to 1973 as the Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission, and from 1973 to 1988 as the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission), is a tribunal with powers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (Cth). ...
Critics argue that the board lacks independence and scope and that it will reduce the benefits of workers, while supporters believe that it will stimulate the economy and in turn improve working conditions.
2006 decision
On 26 October 2006, the AFPC handed down its first decision. The AFPC's media release stated: The Australian Fair Pay Commission today announced an increase of $27.36 per week in the standard Federal Minimum Wage and in all Pay Scales up to $700 per week. This covers just over one million Australian workers who rely on the Commission’s decisions for adjustments in their wages. The Commission also awarded an increase of $22.04 per week to all Pay Scales paying $700 per week and above, or more than $36,000 per year, representing another 220,000 workers, about 2% of the workforce. In hourly terms, the Australian federal minimum wage will increase to $13.47 per hour (for workers on pay scales of less than $700 per week). The decision took effect on 1 December 2006.
Many commentators were surprised that the AFPC's first decision was so large. For example, the Australian Council of Trade Unions had asked for a minimum wage increase of $30 per week. Despite this, the rise barely kept up with inflation since the previous pay rise handed down by the AIRC in June 2005.
The AFPC has announced that its next decision will be made in mid-2007. The most likely reason for this is to ensure that the timing of the decision does not clash with the 2007 Australian federal election, expected to be held in late-2007.
2007 decision On 5 July 2007, the AFPC handed down its second wage decision. The decision increased minimum wages from $13.47 to $13.74 per hour, or $10.26 a week for wages below $700, and by $5.30 for wages above $700.
The AFPC took into account the time period between the inaugural and second wage decisions, and other factors including tax cuts announced in the budget that take effect from 1 July 2007. The AFPC, whilst considering these matters, did not discount the wage increase on account of tax cuts.
Another historic feature of the decision was that for the first time, farmers were granted a deferral from the wage increase on account of severe drought. Incapacity to pay had been argued numerous times over the last twenty five years, for the most part unsuccessfully, before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. The AFPC's decision granting the deferral was therefore a landmark in the history of industrial relations for the National Farmers' Federation.
Australian trade union reaction to the creation of the AFPC Australian trade unions view the AFPC as a neo-conservative business-friendly organisation that threatens the basic rights, pay and entitlements of Australian workers. Further, they argue that the FPC will benefit business at the expense of workers. Unions mockingly call the AFPC the Australian Low Pay Commission. Unions view the IRC as independent and wish to keep it as the minimum wage setting body. ACTU's Greg Combet expressed his concern about Professor Harper's ability in an interview with Radio National's Mark Colvin. [5] Neoconservatism describes several distinct political ideologies which are considered new forms of conservatism. ...
Greg Combet speaking at the Your Rights at Work rally in Melbourne, 15 November 2005 Greg Combet speaking in November 2005, shortly after the Government introduced its WorkChoices legislation Gregory Ivan Combet AM (born 28 April 1958) is an Australian trade unionist and has been Secretary of the Australian Council...
ABC Radio National is an Australia-wide radio network with many various programs, involving news and current affairs, arts, music, society, science, drama and comedy. ...
References - ^ Welcome to the Australian Fair Pay Commission. Australian Fair Pay Commission. Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
- ^ Leigh, Andrew (2005). "Does raising the minimum wage help the poor?". Discussion Paper No. 501. Australian National University Centre for Economic Policy Research. Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
- ^ Leigh, Andrew (2005). "Does raising the minimum wage help the poor?". Discussion Paper No. 501. Australian National University Centre for Economic Policy Research. Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
- ^ Economics academic to head Fair Pay Commission. ABC Radio National. Retrieved on 2006-05-11.
- ^ Interview with Greg Combet - PM, ABC Radio National, 13 October , 2005
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...
is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
See also This article describes the national government of Australia. ...
This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...
This article or section cites very few or no references or sources. ...
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is the peak national body representing workers in Australia. ...
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