Buswell recommends $20 a week wage rise

The state government has recommended that Western Australia's minimum wage be increased by $19.50 a week to better reflect the increased cost of living.

The announcement is below:

The State Government's submission to the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission's State Wage Case has recommended the State minimum wage be increased in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The recommendation proposed the current adult minimum wage of $557.40 a week rise by $19.50 to $576.90 to reflect the increased cost of living.

Commerce Minister Troy Buswell said the recommendation was in line with the Government's Public Sector Wages Policy.

"It's important to maintain real wages for the lowest income earners while taking into account the State's economy," Mr Buswell said.

"In these tough economic times we also need to live within our means."

The Minister said minimum wage adjustments must take into account the needs of employers and employees.

The Government submission argued that maintaining the real value of the State minimum wage and minimum award rates was sustainable in the context of the current economic downturn.

The Industrial Relations Commission decision on the minimum wage is expected to be announced in June.

The 2008 State Wage Case resulted in an increase of $29 a week from July 1, 2008.