WA families to suffer from Liberal threat to minimum wage

10/11/04
A return to Liberal Government in Western Australia would threaten wage levels for lower paid Western Australians and place greater financial pressure on families.
State Development Minister Clive Brown issued this warning to working families today.
Mr Brown said when last in government, Opposition leader Colin Barnett and the Liberals had:

• delivered five deficits;
• delivered massive increases in household fees and charges; and
• reduced wages for WA's lowest paid workers by up to $26 per week below the lowest award wage.

"Colin Barnett and the Liberals placed the financial burden on families with the least capacity to pay," the Minister said.
"There is every reason to believe they would do it again, if given the opportunity to govern.
"However, WA has changed since the Liberals were in power. The WA economy has grown by almost 25 per cent and there are more than 63,000 new first homebuyers.
"With the Gallop Government abolishing stamp duty for the majority of first homebuyers, this number is set to increase.
"Given the rising level of home ownership, WA families cannot afford the increased financial pressure a return to Liberal government would bring."
Mr Brown said the Gallop Government had ensured all Western Australians were sharing in the State's booming economy by increasing the minimum wage by more than $100 per week and keeping increases in household fees and charges below the inflation rate.
"Despite what the Liberals say about home ownership, the reality is that the Liberals would cut wages for many Western Australians, increase household fees and charges and increase the financial pressure on many WA families," he said.
Minister's office: 9222 9699