NO.088

Reports attributing to me a “plan to cut wages in the bush for the

unemployed” are wrong.

I have advocated flexibility, subject to minima as prescribed by the relevant awards,

in relation to productivity over-awards, working patterns and other matters allowed under

the Government’s legislation.

I do not advocate different minima as between employed or unemployed. Nor do I advocate

reducing wages for one part of Australia as opposed to another.

I advocate flexibility in wage fixing, subject to the prescribed minima, which if it is

taken up and used could be of enormous benefit for new investment and new investment in

regional areas to provide jobs for the unemployed.

CANBERRA

13 December 1999