This is a complex matter, and is typical of our current gutless govt led by the almighty waffler. It is all politics, and rather than make a decision, they are waffling on as usual, hoping to diffuse the fallout this discussion will create. On one hand you will have the lefties and the unions saying that the worker is hard done by and the rich business owners are raking in fortunes. On the other hand you will have reality, where the huge cost of doing business in Australia is hampering growth. People in retail clothing stores only earn time and a half on Sunday, not double. The issue is the high cost of property in Australia. We have had a ridiculous boom where property values have increased way beyond affordability. Commercial property has also increased. This means shop rents are huge and the cost of living is also high. Hence there will always be pressure on wages to be high, which in turn means that the hospitality industry has to charge high prices to compensate. Business is hard and will get tougher. The moronic unions are claiming a stasis of milk and honey, but as TURC has proven, they are nothing but crooks with no understanding of what business is about. Fact is, we have to move towards a user pays system. If you want to go out on a Sunday, you have to pay for the privilege. A 20% surcharge is realistic. I have no qualms paying this, as I have worked weekends in the past, and it does affect family life. To all who rally for penalty rates to remain, I hope you are the same ones who will gladly pay the surcharge. I know that many will say that the business can afford it, but those same people have no idea about Economics or Accounting. Another way is to simply raise your prices to compensate for the costs. Many businesses that are doing well, have upped their charges and still remain busy, especially if their food, beverages and service are top notch. Finding good staff is difficult, the true cost of hiring and training (and retaining) workers is huge, and the hospitality industry has a massive turnover of staff. Moving forward, with extended trading hours, staffing is going to be a big issue. On the Gold Coast, the major shopping centres, Robina and Pacific Fair, will soon be allowed to trade until 10pm every night. That applies to all stores in the centre. I wonder when banks will open longer, they make heaps of money, but do not service their customers properly.
