Blog Posts

As the Americans are celebrating their Day of Independence. I think it is appropriate to take a moment and realise the ramifications this had on the world.

Talking about a minimum wage is not the same as discussing increasing wages or increasing standards of living. These are wonderful points in a career as Australians improve their lot in life. The minimum wage discussion, however, consists solely of an arbitrary political line that disregards human relationships, and unique circumstances in life. It also overtly hurts the lowest earners in our communities.

The recent Fair Work Commission’s minimum wage hike increase to $18.93/ hour effectively makes any wages below the line illegal.

Thomas Sowell put it this way:

It would probably be hard-pressed to think of anyone you know who voluntarily paid more taxes than they’re required. And would you really want to know someone like that, anyhow?

Normal people know thousands of other ways to better spend their hard-earned money than giving a donation to their government. There are thousands of charities, one could invest in their community, pay off debt, buy a car, buy a candy bar, or even invest in their super.

Life is nothing without the relationships cultivated between friends, family, and acquaintances. Relationships are the foundation for a productive society, yet just as easily when coerced are capable of destroying societies.

Whenever a problem arises a moment of reflection — or, in reality, a time to criticise and complain — is necessary. But you get a day for that, tops. Now it’s time for real solutions.

Last week the ACTU Secretary Sally McManus gave a low energy presentation identifying wage growth, inequality, and casual work as problems but coming up far short of innovative solutions.

We have spent much of the first part of the year determining the key Industrial Relations issues standing in the way of a more prosperous Australia. We realize our counterparts on the left may think we live in a post scarcity world where time and money grow on trees, but here in reality we must focus our efforts on issues that hinder Australia’s future prosperity. Although, I suppose money could grow on trees in the form of mangoes, but they are worthless unless someone spends the time to pick and market.

The seeds were planted early this year after the Fair Work Commission halted a NSW Rail Strike that was voted for by only 6% of the unions rail workers via a txt poll. With such small numbers one would question if the whole thing was planned or staged to begin with, much the way “Ferry McFerryface” 1% voter approval came to light.

To say the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is creating a straw man argument to justify holding hostage the Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT), would be giving straw men from all walks of ideology a bad name. A few irresponsible MUA leaders have suspended reality by blaming VICT for not hiring a causal employee and failing to acknowledge it is a Federal law that bars VICT from doing so. This is not a straw man, I’m not sure if this is even misdirection, its pure anger just for the sake of being angry.

(Article first appeared in the Daily Telegraph- Rendez View ) ( Picture is from Pexel-Splitshire )

Recent news out of Japan has proven, yet again, innovation and creativity stem from private individuals and businesses, not unions, and not forced government intervention.