The Western Australian Government has welcomed a $21.66 a week pay rise for the nation’s lowest paid workers.
The increase announced today by the Australian Fair Pay Commission will take the federal minimum wage for adult workers from $522.12 to $543.78 a week.
Employment Protection Minister Jon Ford said the WA Government had argued for a $22 a week increase in its submission to the Fair Pay Commission in March this year.
“Western Australia made its own independent submission based on WA’s buoyant economy, believing it was only fair the most vulnerable workers share the fruits of the State’s prosperity,” Mr Ford said.
“The new federal minimum wage will go some way to assist the lowest paid under the federal industrial relations system.”
The wage increase will come into effect in October.
Last month the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission awarded WA workers employed on the State minimum wage and state awards a $29 a week wage increase.
This increase moved the State minimum wage from $528.40 a week to $557.40 a week. The rise came into effect on the first pay period on or after July 1, 2008.
Minister's office - 9213 7200 
