@ISIDEWITHQuestionseconomyStarted 13yrs agoActive 3mos ago

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?

The federal minimum wage is the lowest wage at which employers may pay their employees. In 2015 the minimum wage increased by 2.5 percent to $16 per week. Proponents of a higher minimum argue that the 2.5% increase in 2015 is not high enough to cover basic costs like healthcare and education which are increasing by 5% a year. Opponents argue that raising the minimum wage will increase unemployment and make it harder for lower income workers to find jobs.

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Answer Overview

Response rates from 243k Australia voters.

73%
Yes
25%
No
64%
Yes
22%
No
6%
Yes, and adjust it every year according to inflation
1%
No, most minimum wage jobs are meant to develop experience, not support a family
3%
Yes, and make it a living wage
1%
No, this will only cause prices to increase in a never ending cycle
0%
No, and eliminate all wage standards

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Other Popular Answers

Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.

 @4ZMQR6Sfrom New South Wales  answered…4yrs4Y

How about lower the cost of living?

 @9K6H4T4answered…10mos10MO

Yes make it a living wage, adjust it every year, look at cost of living and inflation, and ensure citizens have their basic needs met

 @9TQPHWXanswered…3mos3MO

The repairs should federal cycle is cause price range and minimums family support as said government feedback admins

 @9HRDHPHanswered…12mos12MO

Regardless, the minimum wage should be abolished and workers should organise to negotiate industrial wages.

 @9K7CMXQanswered…10mos10MO

I think they should first address the issues that are requiring them to raise the minimum wage. For example Australia is currently in a cost of living crisis housing/renting crisis which are making everyday items and the ability to live incredibly expensive. Minimum wage should always be aligned with a liveable wage, but if those issues aren’t addressed first, prices will only keep rising and rising and minimum wage would only keep increasing, having substantial effects on the economy.

 @92JZ2MPanswered…3yrs3Y

Wages need to increase to match the cost of living. Inflation in this country is ridiculous.

 @92GK5YQanswered…3yrs3Y

It should continue to be independently set by Fair Work Australia

 @8TSMMHPanswered…3yrs3Y

No, *private* unions and individuals themselves should negotiate for wages

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 @M0derateImpala from Minnesota submitted…7mos7MO

Companies Cut Worker Hours After California’s $25-an-Hour Minimum-Wage

California's budget deficit has ballooned to $45 billion. Mr. Newsom projects that the new healthcare minimum wage would cost the state $4 billion more a year owing to higher Medicaid costs and compensation for workers at state-owned facilities. Legislative analyses warned about these costs, but Mr. Newsom signed the law anyway.California’s current minimum wage for all workers is $16 an hour. Nearly all workers at healthcare facilities including janitors will have to be paid at least $25 an hour by 2028.California’s wage minimums are another illustration of how progressive mandates boomerang. Average weekly earnings for leisure and hospitality employees in California have declined by 2.6% over the last year owing to a steep drop in hours worked. By contrast, those average weekly earnings rose 3% nationwide, 3.2% in Florida and 5.2% in Texas.California’s wage minimums are another illustration of how progressive mandates boomerang. Average weekly earnings for leisure and hospitality employees in California have declined by 2.6% over the last year owing to a steep drop in hours worked. By contrast, those average weekly earnings rose 3% nationwide, 3.2% in Florida and 5.2% in Texas.Average hourly earnings for California leisure and hospitality workers have also increased more slowly—2.1% compared to 3.8% nationwide—no doubt partly because the state’s softer labor market has reduced competition for workers.When government raises wages above what the market commands, employers will increase prices and reduce labor. California, QED.

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