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Australia Weighs Whether Its Minimum Wage Is Too High

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Australia's minimum wage is set for 2015 at $16.87 Australian dollars per hour, or $13.55 U.S. dollars for people over the age of 20. This is 30% higher than the minimum wage of $10 in California, and almost double the federal minimum wage in the U.S. For years since the late 1990's it has been increased as Australia benefitted from a commodities boom. With the lower employment in the mining and other sectors in 2015, and a fading of the commodities boom, experts say the minimum wage needs to be restrained to reflect the changes in the economy. Unemployment at 4% in 2008, is now 6.1%. Unemployment for people 15-24 not attending school increased to 14.1% in Nov. 2014, declining to 13.1% in Dec. Workers under 21 are paid much less significantly lower on a sliding scale, an idea that could be borrowed in the U.S. as the minimum wage is raised higher to provide adequate income for workers with families to support. Experts point to high unemployment in the 1990's even when there was a low minimum wage. As a matter of fairness the wage setting body in Australia takes into account the median wage. It was 54% of the median wage in 2013, compared to 37% for the U.S., according to the OECD.

Australia's high minimum wage with lower employment in mining and construction in 2015-2016

01/26/2015

Discussion on the minimum wage is taking place in Australia which has the highest minimum wage in the world of $13, about twice the minimum wage in the U.S. It reflects an egalitarian culture in Australia and proponents say unemployment was high even in a period when the minimum wage was low. The minimum wage is 54% of the median wage in Australia, compared to 37% in the U.S., and is set at a level to reflect fairness. It has increased by 60% since 2000 to maintain worker's purchasing power.

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