FED: Anderson says govenment not looking to cut bush pay

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-1999
FED: Anderson says govenment not looking to cut bush pay

Deputy Prime Minister JOHN ANDERSON says the federal government is not looking to cut
bush wages, and household incomes in rural areas are already too low.

Putting the best possible face on comments by Treasurer PETER COSTELLO, Mr ANDERSON
says the issue is about flexibility.

Mr COSTELLO has provoked outrage from Labor and others for suggesting national unemployment
could fall to under six per cent if workers in rural and regional areas are to receive
lower minimum wages.

Mr ANDERSON says no-one is looking for lower wages.

He says household incomes in rural and regional Australia are already too far behind
their urban counterparts.

Queensland National Party backbencher DE-ANNE KELLY says it's not a good time for such
comments from Mr COSTELLO.

AAP RTV mb/rsm/msk

KEYWORD: JOBS (CANBERRA)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.