The Reserve Bank governor has contradicted Labor’s claims that wages can continue to rise without productivity gains, as the Albanese government pushes for an above-inflation increase for 3 million workers on minimum rates this year.
Labor’s submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review calls for an “economically sustainable” lift to the minimum hourly rate of $24.10. It is the first time in four years the government has asked for a real increase to the minimum wage.
Tom McIlroy is the Financial Review’s Canberra bureau chief based in the press gallery at Parliament House. He was previously the AFR’s political correspondent. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at thomas.mcilroy@afr.com
