Why I oppose the public sector wage freeze


27th May 2020
I know there will be divided opinion on the public sector wage freeze announced by the Premier today, but I strongly oppose the Government's move. I understand

I know there will be divided opinion on the public sector wage freeze announced by the Premier today, but I strongly oppose the Government's move.

I understand what the Government is trying to do, but I also know what it's been asking of our frontline workers such as nurses, police and emergency services over the past few months.
Sadly, a wage freeze is not something that I or any other State MP will get the chance to vote on despite the Parliament sitting next week.

I raised my concerns with the Premier earlier this month about the 'contractionary' impacts of a then-rumoured wage freeze (copy of letter pictured).

Both the State and Federal governments are wanting to stimulate the economy, yet $3 billion a year is about to be frozen out of it with a stop on the planned 2.5% wage increases of frontline workers.

It doesn't make sense and, in my opinion, will only provide a short-term benefit to the Government's bottom line, but leave us in a worse position in the medium to long term.

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