Australia Has $16 Minimum Wage and is the Only Rich Country to Dodge the Recession

[maddog42]

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10553

The cost of living in Australia is in fact slightly higher than in the United States. And if you want to make an adjustment for that, the Australian fast food wage of $17.98 an hour probably comes down to around $12 an hour if you adjust for cost of living. On the other hand, if you adjust for the fact that that Australian $17.98, on top of that, Australian workers get four weeks' annual vacation, retirement benefits, and full health insurance, then of course you would have to revise the figures upward. So there is some truth in the argument that the cost of living is higher in Australia. But on the other hand, you get more for your tax money and you get more for your wages in Australia as well. So I think the two either balance out or in fact probably workers are better off in Australia.

[Mike at A+]

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10553

The cost of living in Australia is in fact slightly higher than in the United States. And if you want to make an adjustment for that, the Australian fast food wage of $17.98 an hour probably comes down to around $12 an hour if you adjust for cost of living. On the other hand, if you adjust for the fact that that Australian $17.98, on top of that, Australian workers get four weeks' annual vacation, retirement benefits, and full health insurance, then of course you would have to revise the figures upward. So there is some truth in the argument that the cost of living is higher in Australia. But on the other hand, you get more for your tax money and you get more for your wages in Australia as well. So I think the two either balance out or in fact probably workers are better off in Australia.
Well maybe all the people who come here to work for minimum wage should move to Australia instead. And as for all the generational welfare slimebags already here, I'd be happy to pitch in for their airfare.

[JustRalph]

Yeah, that works..........compare the economy of a country with 22 million people with that of a country with 300 million...........

Australia's economy is roughly the size of the Texas economy.

Apple, meet Orange...........

[Clocker]

Some excepts from the 2013 Index Of Economic Freedom:

Australia’s economic freedom score is 82.6, making its economy the 3rd freest in the 2013 Index.

...

The financial system has remained stable, and prudent regulations have allowed banks to withstand the global financial turmoil with little disruption. Public finances are soundly managed, and sovereign debt levels are under control. A transparent and stable business climate makes Australia one of the world’s most reliable and attractive environments for entrepreneurs.

...

Australia’s strong commitment to economic freedom has resulted in a policy framework that encourages impressive economic resilience.

...

Australia’s regulatory environment, one of the world’s most transparent and efficient, is highly conducive to entrepreneurship. It takes only two days to launch a business. The labor market remains flexible, and unemployment is a relatively low 5 percent.

Bolding added. Australia has a freer, less regulated economic system than Switzerland! Does this resemble anything like a Socialist Democracy in your neighborhood?

Source. (http://www.heritage.org/index/country/australia)

[sammy the sage]

"". It takes only two days to launch a business""

Try doing THAT stateside...more LIKE 2 months if lucky.... :faint:

[Shemp Howard]

A nation built by criminals and undesireables......go figger.

[Robert Goren]

Yeah, that works..........compare the economy of a country with 22 million people with that of a country with 300 million...........

Australia's economy is roughly the size of the Texas economy.

Apple, meet Orange...........Does not stop conservatives from comparing the economy of Greece with 11 million people to the USA. That is Plum, meet Orange........

[Mike at A+]

Does not stop conservatives from comparing the economy of Greece with 11 million people to the USA. That is Plum, meet Orange........
Isn't it more a case of conservatives comparing Greece to the "don't wanna work" people of the USA?

[Saratoga_Mike]

The Australian economy, which is driven by commodities, finance and tourism, is slowing as we speak. While the commodities bubble burst a few yrs ago, longer-cycle cap ex projects are finally coming to end and miners are being laid off en masse. As for the financial sector, it's been driven by housing (arguably in bubble territory) and commodities. I'd be careful there. As for the high wages, they're the main reason manufacturers are leaving the country (e.g., Ford). The previously strong Aussie currency has also contributed to the manufacturing exodus. Finally, one can't look at wages in isolation - the cost of living is very high in Australia.

[thaskalos]

Isn't it more a case of conservatives comparing Greece to the "don't wanna work" people of the USA?

People don't work in Greece?

[Mike at A+]

People don't work in Greece?
I am talking specifically about the proposed "austerity" measures in Greece and Europe in general. And how it's met with violence by the entitlement mentality crowd. We've all seen the footage on TV.

[thaskalos]

I am talking specifically about the proposed "austerity" measures in Greece and Europe in general. And how it's met with violence by the entitlement mentality crowd. We've all seen the footage on TV.

Ahhh...that explains it. By the tone of your remark...I thought you had visited Greece up close.

But then again...how can the TV not be counted upon to provide us with all we need to know about a situation...

[Saratoga_Mike]

Ahhh...that explains it. By the tone of your remark...I thought you had visited Greece up close.

But then again...how can the TV not be counted upon to provide us with all we need to know about a situation...

Do Greeks work Thask?

[Mike at A+]

Ahhh...that explains it. By the tone of your remark...I thought you had visited Greece up close.
Nope, I prefer to spend my tourism dollars here in America. But I do like Greek food if that means anything.

[thaskalos]

Nope, I prefer to spend my tourism dollars here in America. But I do like Greek food if that means anything.

It does.

And if you met the Greek people...you'd like them too. :)

[Mike at A+]

It does.

And if you met the Greek people...you'd like them too. :)
I have met many who now live in America. All very nice people. Especially this young lady with jet black hair and legs from here to infinity. But that was in the pre-marriage days and if my wife ever joins the Pace Advantage site I duly note the above disclaimer.

[steveb]

I thought the thread was about Australia, not Greece?
Although I have been told that my city(Melbourne) has the largest or second largest population of Greeks outside Greece in the world.

The article linked to in the thread starter is wrong, but notwithstanding that, it is the only place to live if given the choice IMO.
Of course I am biased.

Only criminals and hunters have guns.
Religion is losing ground rapidly, and long may it continue.
Rupert Murdoch renounced his citizenship to go to America, and you are welcome to him.
Only 23 million in this vast land, and mostly all concentrated along the eastern seaboard.

And we are free, as in REALLY free.

[Tom]

Several people I went to school with in 1969 went Down under for vacation that summer. Two never came back, the other three moved there within 5 years. All have never regretted the move.

So, whatever happened to Aussie Player....he was an interesting poster a few years ago.

XfR9iY5y94s

[Valuist]

The Australian economy is driven heavily by natural resources. Should China slow considerably, look for Australia to get hit hard.

[JustRalph]

Only criminals and hunters have guns.


Yeah, like that's a good thing?


And we are free, as in REALLY free.

Unless a criminal points a gun at you............

[steveb]

Yeah, like that's a good thing?




Unless a criminal points a gun at you............


Living in the US where apparently every man and his dog is armed, then I would not expect you to understand.
Still, I have no doubt how lucky I am to be born an Australian.

[PaceAdvantage]

Living in the US where apparently every man and his dog is armed, then I would not expect you to understand.
Still, I have no doubt how lucky I am to be born an Australian.So Australia has armed criminals who happen to commit no crime?

[JustRalph]

Living in the US where apparently every man and his dog is armed, then I would not expect you to understand.
Still, I have no doubt how lucky I am to be born an Australian.

Yeah, I have no perspective on gun crimes. Criminals, or law enforcement.

Just talkin out my ass again............

A society where only criminals have guns is not my idea of utopia

[steveb]

So Australia has armed criminals who happen to commit no crime?

I have no idea what you are implying.

Everywhere has crooks I guess.
I have no idea of how many would have guns, probably much less than those that do.
Still I have been around for 61 years and never have I encountered any problems myself.
Have never felt the need to arm myself(and would not be allowed to even I wanted), and I would think that would apply to the great majority of Australians.

[PaceAdvantage]

Still I have been around for 61 years and never have I encountered any problems myself.
Have never felt the need to arm myself(and would not be allowed to even I wanted), and I would think that would apply to the great majority of Australians.Hey...guess what? I live in the big bad USA. In New York no less. And I can say the same thing as you (although I'm only 44)...oh, and I would be legally allowed to arm myself...that's about the only difference between our two life experiences to date on this subject matter (plus the age).

So actually, I'm better off, because I do have the option of arming myself legally...

So where do we go from here?

[steveb]

Hey...guess what? I live in the big bad USA. In New York no less. And I can say the same thing as you (although I'm only 44)...oh, and I would be legally allowed to arm myself...that's about the only difference between our two life experiences to date on this subject matter (plus the age).

So actually, I'm better off, because I do have the option of arming myself legally...

So where do we go from here?

Each to their own, but I would take my situation every day of the week.
I don't want to be armed, and neither would most of us.
When I said not allowed, maybe that's not strictly correct, but I would have to have a very good reason, and self defence would not be one of them.

[Clocker]

I don't want to be armed, and neither would most of us.


But what gives you the right to impose what you want for yourself on other reasonable, law-abiding people who think otherwise? Why should your opinion, or even the majority opinion, be forced on others who pose no threat to you and who do not wish to impose their will on you?

[steveb]

But what gives you the right to impose what you want for yourself on other reasonable, law-abiding people who think otherwise? Why should your opinion, or even the majority opinion, be forced on others who pose no threat to you and who do not wish to impose their will on you?

Did I say I had any right to impose?
Did I not say each to their own???
I simply prefer my country's way(as far as I understand it) on this particular topic(right to arms)
You want to be armed, then my sympathies to you, that you feel that need.

[BlueShoe]

"". It takes only two days to launch a business""

Try doing THAT stateside...more LIKE 2 months if lucky.... :faint:
In California it would be more like two years.

[Clocker]

Did I say I had any right to impose?
Did I not say each to their own???
I simply prefer my country's way(as far as I understand it) on this particular topic(right to arms)


Your country has imposed a ban on citizens who might wish to own a gun, and you appear to agree with it. That is certainly in conflict with the concept of "each to their own".

[Robert Goren]

"". It takes only two days to launch a business""

Try doing THAT stateside...more LIKE 2 months if lucky.... :faint:That depends on what kind of business you want to operate.

[Tom]

So Australia has armed criminals who happen to commit no crime?

Yes, but then the hunters...... :eek: