At the moment the rate is determined by the Minister, who then presents it to the States as an Order without debate. But Deputy Geoff Southern wants all politicians to have their say. He is taking a proposition to the Assembly that, if approved, will give States Members the power to vote on what the hourly rate should be. Under current legislation a rate is proposed each year by the Employment Forum following a period of public consultation. The Minister then accepts or rejects this figure and makes an Order to the States, which Members can only change by rescinding it completely. If that happened, the previous order simply stays in force. The Minister only has to justify the rate to the States if it differs from that proposed by the Forum. To date, that has never happened.
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