Minimum wage boost for WA adults

26/2/00
Labour Relations Minister Cheryl Edwardes, today announced a $21.30 per week increase in the Western Australian adult minimum wage.
Mrs Edwardes said the increase would come into effect on March 1.
"The adult minimum wage will increase from $346.70 per week ($8.67 per hour) to $368.00 per week ($9.20 per hour) with proportionate increases for junior employees," Mrs Edwardes said.
The Minister said the increase reflected the State Government's continued commitment to lower paid workers in Western Australia.
"The Government's decision provides a real increase that will help stimulate spending and in turn create employment opportunities," she said.
"I'm pleased that we have been able to provide an increase that protects the low paid whilst being economically responsible.
"The process followed by the Government on this occasion embraced a wide range of submissions that gave all interested parties an opportunity to provide input," she said.
Mrs Edwardes said Government took into account indicators such as CPI, household expenditure and average earnings to determine the new rate. It also examined submissions from industry, State Treasury and trade union sources.
She said that the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission played a pivotal role in determining the extent of the wage boost.
"The commission's recommendation took into account a range of economic and labour market factors whilst maintaining a responsible economic position, particularly in relation to maintaining employment opportunities," she said.
The new minimum wage increase will generally apply to employees covered by a workplace agreement or those not covered by a State or Federal award.
"I'm pleased that we have been able to bolster the take home pay of people at the lower end of the pay scale because it recognizes their important contribution to the State economy," Mrs Edwardes said.
"We should, however, acknowledge that only a very small proportion of the WA labour market is on the minimum wage and that most employees receive higher wages."
The last adjustment to the WA adult minimum wage was in December 1998.
Media contact: Carol Cowling 9421 7777
Doug Cunningham 9321 7333