What they said
“Queensland Unions welcomes the decision of the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission to flow on the 3.5 per cent wage rise determined in this year’s federal Annual Wage Review,” King said.
“This decision will directly benefit Queensland public sector and local government employees who are currently not covered by a collective enterprise agreement including … employees of parents and citizens associations such as staff in out of school and vacation care.
“It will also flow onto any Queensland public sector employees whose current agreement rate is less than the new award rate – such as low paid operational staff who work in ambulance, health, education, and child safety.”
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Another perspective
The government, through Under Treasurer Dennis Molloy, submitted a 3.5 per cent lift could add $66 million to this year’s state wages bill, and cumulatively create “potential fiscal impacts in future”.
“An increase in government expenses arising from these decisions places pressure on a government’s ability to deliver further services in other areas and still achieve its fiscal objectives.”
But the state did acknowledge the flow-on of award increases to some workers under agreements was “unavoidable in order to ensure that workers who do not benefit from collective bargaining or the state’s public sector wages policy receive a fair and reasonable increase”.
In response to questions about the decision, a government spokesperson said the government was committed to being an employer of choice with respect for public money.
“We will continue to negotiate in good faith across all public sector enterprise agreements,” they said.
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