Push to cut award rates

SMALL business owners in the Hinchinbrook region say exorbitant award rates on public holidays are preventing them from providing the community with the service it wants.

With businesses trying to adapt to a changing economic climate and customer demand, high wage costs mean some businesses can’t afford to stay open.

Ingham small business owner Anthony Zaghini said it was no wonder many businesses closed their doors over public holiday periods, even though customers still wanted to be able to shop. He said his rate of pay nearly tripled on public holidays, making it difficult for small business owners to provide the community with consistent service.

While a regular day’s award rate wages cost Mr Zaghini about $ 600, Easter Saturday set him back $ 1731.

The four days over the Easter period cost him a combined $ 5721 in wages alone – and most of that went to junior staff employed out of school time.

Mr Zaghini said ultimately it would be juniors who missed out if businesses could not afford to stay open on weekends and public holidays.

The problem had become more noticeable in the past few years since the downturn of the retail industry,’’ he said. “But it’s not just Ingham, it’s right throughout Australia, especially in country towns,” he said. He would like to see a flat rate of pay for all wages.

Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism president Mary Brown said the problem was exacerbated by society’s wish for sevenday trading.

“It’s an ongoing conversation, and it’s becoming a very big discussion in Victoria and NSW where there’s a push in the business community to do away with penalty rates,” Ms Brown said.

“Society wants seven- day trading and businesses are trying to give it to them, but it’s very expensive.’’