Media Release
Adam Bandt MP
Deputy Leader, Australian Greens
Federal Member for Melbourne
3 June 2013
Bandt will move to protect minimum wage from super rises
Greens Deputy Leader and workplace spokesperson Adam Bandt MP says he will move amendments to the Fair Work Act tomorrow to limit the ability of the Fair Work commission to suppress minimum wage rises because of increases in the superannuation guarantee.
The Fair Work Commission justified its decision to only award an increase of 2.6 per cent to the minimum wage today, in part because of the planned increase to the compulsory super guarantee contribution from employers.
“Australia’s lowest paid workers need an wage increase now not some small boost to their super in 30 years’ time,” Mr Bandt said.
“There may be an argument to offset super payments against wage rises for the better paid, but not for those who are just scraping by.”
“People on the minimum wage may well end up retiring on the pension with limited super. To deny them a decent wage rise now because they might get a small super payout in a couple of decades is an uncaring act.
“The Greens are big supporters of the planned increase to super, but this should not be used to justify a wage increase for Australia’s lowest paid workers that barely covers inflation.”
“I will attempt to protect future minimum wage rises from this spurious argument by amending the Fair Work Act.”
Contact: Damien Lawson 0487 900 005