Michaelia Cash called elitist over heated minimum wage talks

Employment Minister Michaelia Cash has been grilled over comments on minimum wage.

First she spoke about the topic during a radio interview with 3AW’s Neil Mitchell.

During the interview Cash was unable to explain why the government had cautioned against excessive increases in the minimum wage

When Mitchell asked her what the government meant when it said those on the minimum wage were “often found in high-income households” her reply was there was often a high income person in that household.

Mitchell asked “…How many people, how many of these low income earners, earning their $17 an hour go home to a wealthy support?” to which Cash replied “…That is not what the Government is saying.”

His response was ‘Yes it is’.

Mitchell again asked Cash to explain and asked how many low income workers were in that position.

“As I said there’s only about 200,000 workers that are actually paid at the minimum wage and that is why when you actually look at where the majority of workers lie, the vast majority of people are paid under awards and they actually receive more.” Cash replied.

The current minimum wage is $17.70 per hour or $672.70 per 38 hour week.

Mitchell responded to her statement asking her what percentage of that figure was found in high income households, but she said it was not about the percentage.

“I don’t have the figure, it’s not as simple as that. You pick and choose a particular line from the submission and what you then lose is the totality of what the submission says,” Cash said.

Following the interview Labour members used Question Time to continue the grilling.

Senator Doug Cameron asked how many low paid workers were living in high-income households and how many of the 200,000 workers on the minimum wage were women.

“Why is the Turnbull Government’s only advice to struggling Australians – to have rich parents or marry up,” senator Cameron said.

“The electorate will look at that and say ‘You elite lot’. I mean, how many of the middle-aged women going and cleaning toilets in hotels today are going home to a rich sugar daddy,” he said.

What do you think of Michaelia Cash’s comments on minimum wage?