TOPIC:

So Colin Barnett wants to reduce penalty rates for workers on Sunday for those working in the hospitality and retail sectors. First C Barnett you need to take a 33 and a third per cent cut in your pay and a similar cut in your superannuation. Until then what an absolute disgrace you are. Why have you not suggested that a similar cut in penalty rates for police, nurses and fireys as well? The answer is pretty simple because you don't have the guts to have a fight with them because you know that politically you would not have the public support. Instead you typically choose to have a fight with those who do not have the same political clout.

This from a premier who managed to preside over a government that managed to furing a mining boom to have the state's credit rating cut. Bring on the 2017 election.

Try being a small cafe owner trying to run a business all day Sunday or a public holiday and break even. Guess that is why we have the most expensive coffee and piss the world.

Correct S42, and I asked myself the same question.
And the next thing we'll hear is the federal government will introduce the same, I'd be guessing?
Previous generations of people fought hard to have penalty rates paid, and nowadays people will likely sit back and let it all slip away! Makes one wonder!
Barnett and some other politicians are leaning towards a 24 hr a day 7 day a week economy. Which is not the best idea. And the CCI would have the full knowledge it will cut take-home pay for many and mean they have to work even longer hours just to stand still financially. Not sure how working people are meant to get ahead and try to better themselves. Still waiting for the premier to explain that part!
The premier would also be aware not all working days are the same. We all face increasing financial pressures in the coming years, and how does lowering peoples wages help? I'm hoping the premier explains this? The very high and increasing living costs are driven by the broader economy. For example if workers penalty rates are cut by 50% on Sundays, will the price of goods be significantly lower on that day or over a weekend? Oops, there goes another question the premier hasn't answered! I believe taxpayers are paying the premier well over 300 thousand dollars/ year. Many low paid employees are earning between 30 to 50 thousand, being a huge discrepancy! Wonder to if the premier and others on the hill are also prepared to have their salaries attacked!?

Bazza wrote: Try being a small cafe owner trying to run a business all day Sunday or a public holiday and break even. Guess that is why we have the most expensive coffee and piss in the world.

so you reckon Bazza this will lead to a price drop in the price of coffee and beer ?
all it will do is increase the profit of the owner whilst the workers get less and the public pay the same price

MarkOlsen wrote: so you reckon Bazza this will lead to a price drop in the price of coffee and beer ?
all it will do is increase the profit of the owner whilst the workers get less and the public pay the same price

I'd say a price drop, competition would be tougher. a lot cannot even afford to open.

But one thing is for sure staff costs are the biggest cost for small business.

We are so far behind on productivity/business trends here it is not funny.

unless the wage cuts are passed on to consumers then what is the point ?
people wont want to work weekends so they will have to shut anyway.
small business know that penalty rates exist when the take on the business, why would you then come out and say its unfair ?

small business owners are talking through their pocket and the workers and the consumers lose out, what a surprise.

If they want to scrap penalties on Sunday and have full Sunday trading then lets get all industry to do the same, including Parliment and Banks, hell will freeze over before that happens..and Bazza are you saying the reason prices are higher for a coffee for instance here in Perth compared to - for example Melbourne, is because of Penalty rates??

That's what S42 is saying Sd. The low paid workers are just expected to have their wages attacked, but what of the premier and politicians? Are they also going to lose 30% to 50% (or whatever the damn figure is) of their wages? If not, why not is a question that needs to be asked.

MarkOlsen wrote: unless the wage cuts are passed on to consumers then what is the point ?
people wont want to work weekends so they will have to shut anyway.
small business know that penalty rates exist when the take on the business, why would you then come out and say its unfair ?

small business owners are talking through their pocket and the workers and the consumers lose out, what a surprise.

Small business owners are entitled to say whatever they like, in the end the consumer pays I guess.

Btw , I would not be so sure about people not wanting to work on a weekend, for the price of someone on penalty rates on a sunday , a shop could employ two people, go a long way towards solving youth unemployment, heaps of students out there looking for weekend cash.

Id rather see a shop open employing people , than closed as they cant afford to open.