Government Backs Another Minimum Wage Rise, Plays Down Inflation Risks

The federal government has recommended that the minimum wage increase in line with annual inflation, which sits at 3.4 percent in the year to January. While the decision will be made by the Fair Work Commission as part of its annual wage review, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said, “the [government’s] expectation is that the minimum wage will be lifted.” He told the Today show that Labor wanted to ensure Australia’s low-paid workers “do not go backwards” and that it recognised that cost-of-living pressures “do fall disproportionately on the lowest paid in our workplaces.” “While we’ve made welcome progress on inflation and seen a return to real wages growth earlier than forecast, many Australians are still under pressure, particularly low-paid workers,” he said....