Albanese wants PM to support wage boost

ANTHONY Albanese has held up a dollar coin and declared it “extraordinary” that Prime Minister Scott Morrison does not support a minimum wage rise in line with inflation.

But he still refuses to say whether a proposed wage rise of 5.1 per cent will be included in a submission to the Fair Work Commission.

Speaking at a Gladstone oil refinery, Mr Albanese held up the coin and addressed the widespread debate over his support for the rise.

“The idea that we would support a real wage cut for people on the minimum wage is I think the extraordinary claim,” he said

“I think what is extraordinary about this debate is that a prime minister who says that people who are cleaners, retail workers – people who got us through the pandemic – should get a real wage cut is really what he is saying.”

Mr Albanese said Labor’s FWC submission would not be finalised until after the May 21 election, with the deadline not until June 7.

Mr Morrison said this week that the Opposition Leader’s comments about increasing the minimum wage by 5.1 per cent were reckless and could add to inflation.