Labor candidate for Page Wendy Backhous, and the Albanese Government are backing a pay rise for low-paid workers in the Northern Rivers to help with the cost of living.

The Government has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) recommending that it award an economically sustainable real wage increase to workers on award wages.

This will help around three million workers across the country, including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators.

A decision on the 2025 Award is expected in early June 2025, with an operative date of 1 July 2025 for any wage increase granted.

Previous recommendations regarding the real wages of low-paid workers have helped secure an increase in the National Minimum Wage by around $7,500 a year.

Ms Backhous said, “A sustainable increase to award wages will ensure low-paid workers can get ahead while inflation continues to slow down.

“It will be particularly important to people in the Northern Rivers – especially young workers, and workers in the care economy.”

“The Federal electorate of Page was rated 144th out of 151 for median household income.

“Our region has a high number of people on low incomes, so the cost-of-living crisis is hurting us hard.

“That’s why it is so critical for our political representatives to advocate for fair pay rises, and to support flexible work arrangements that allow people to juggle work and family commitments.”