Australian youth rates

David Shearer said on the starting out youth rate:

Labour Party leader David Shearer criticised the move, saying “it’s not going to create jobs by driving down wages”.

“These people are going to leave and go to Australia,” said Shearer.

Peter George has blogged the rates in Australia:

• Under 16 years of age  $5.87
• At 16 years of age   $7.55
• At 17 years of age   $9.22
• At 18 years of age   $10.90
• At 19 years of age   $13.17
• At 20 years of age   $15.59

The NZ rate is $10.80 and only for 16 to 19 year olds in some circumstances for a limited six months. Can’t really see those 16 year olds going to Aussie for the higher minimum wage.

Of course what matters is not the minimum wage, but the actual wage paid. So many people seem to think a minimum wage is a maximum wage.