Wages a hot issue for voters

The government, the Labor opposition, business groups and unions are continuing to clash over how much minimum-wage workers should be paid from July, as a two-decade-high inflation rate of 5.1% increases cost-ofliving pressures on Australians.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) wants the Fair Work Commission to increase the minimum hourly rate by 5.5% to A$21.35 (NZ$23.60), while business proposes a 3% lift.

ACTU secretary Sally McManus warned of more industrial action if employers refused to increase wages amid rising profits and the highest start-up and survival rates in a decade.

But the head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the cost of doing business had also increased, citing Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

‘‘We’ve seen in the last three months . . . that three out of five businesses have been facing a surge in costs,’’ Andrew McKellar said.

Labor’s leader, Anthony Albanese, is backing a 5.1% increase, but stopped short of saying he would push for that in a submission to the commission.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also backed a wage rise – although he will not put a figure on it – but has warned that small businesses would struggle with an increase.

Morrison and Albanese traded barbs over wage rises for workers and living costs in the third and final leaders’ debate before polling day.

However, the debate, hosted by Seven Network on Wednesday night ahead of the May 21 vote, was more civil and less shouty than their previous encounter last Sunday.

Albanese reaffirmed his election promise to establish a national anti-corruption watchdog if Labor wins government. ‘‘Under the model put forward by Mr Morrison, ministers would decide ... whether something was referred to an anti-corruption commission. It needs to be independent of politics.’’

Morrison blamed Labor for not supporting the government’s version, and said it needed to be ‘‘designed right’’.