Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

If you are 18 years old, you can vote, drive and even fight for your country. You are an adult in every way. The only difference is your pay. But, today, thanks to the SDA, we are delivering a massive slay. The independent Fair Work Commission will abolish junior pay rates for workers aged over 18 in retail, fast food and pharmacies so they can be paid the same as other adult employees. This will be phased in to allow businesses time to adjust. It is a great outcome for young workers aged 18 to 20.

For too long these young adults were paid less than their older workers. They were adults being paid junior rates, yet they worked just as hard and faced the same cost-of-living challenges. This is a landmark decision for fair pay and intergenerational equity. Over the phase-in period, an 18-year-old casual worker will see a gradual increase of about $10 an hour, which is a significant increase for young workers starting out. I want to congratulate the SDA, its members and the young people who spoke out via the Adult Age = Adult Wage campaign. This is a historic win for all young Australian workers.

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