WORKFORCE 2008 Conference

Workforce held its first annual conference in 2002 and each year has attracted IR and HR practitioners from organisations across the board, as well as coverage from major media organisations, in what has become an anticipated annual event.

Do not miss:

The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Employment, Business & Workplace Relations
Jeff Lawrence, Secretary, ACTU
Philip Burchardt, Federal Magistrate, Federal Magistrates Court of Australia
Stephen Jones, Federal Secretary, CPSU
Ray Evans, President, HR Nicholls Society
Stephen Smith, National Workplace Director, Australian Industry Group
David Gregory, Head of Workplace Relations, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (VECCI)

Workforce Breaking News

Australian Fair Pay Commission awards $21.66 a week minimum wage rise
The Australian Fair Pay Commission (AFPC) on July 8 handed down its third minimum wage decision, awarding an increase of $21.66 a week to the standard federal minimum wage, bringing it to $543.78 a week. This year's increase more than doubled the $10.26 a week increase awarded in the AFPC's 2007 wage decision. The 2008 increase equates to a rise of 4.2%, or 57 cents an hour, bringing the hourly minimum wage rate from $13.74 to $14.31. The $21.66 a week increase, which applies to the federal minimum wage as well as to adult rates in all Australian Pay and Classification Scales, will be payable from the first pay period on or after October 1. It will flow on to juniors, people in training arrangements and workers with a disability. AFPC chair Professor Ian Harper in handing down his decision said it was a "sustainable and appropriate" increase given current economic conditions. "It is a decision that takes into account the state of the national economy and the circumstances of low-paid Australians," Harper said. The Australian Council of Trade Unions had sought a $26 a week rise, while the Federal Government had not recommended an amount. The Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry had sought an increase similar to last yearís $10.26 a week. It called the subsequent $21.66 increase "economically risky". "The AFPC has underplayed the impact of recent economic developments, including interest rate increases and fuel price volatility, on the businesses which must apply this wage increase," ACCI chief executive Peter Anderson said.

Published in Workforce edition 1641 on July 8, 2008.

Catch Professor Ian Harper on his wage-setting role at the WORKFORCE Conference 2008.
Also hear from other IR experts whatís in store under Laborís new workplace relations framework.