100 years of the minimum wage and the Australian tax and transfer system: What has happened, what have we learnt and what are the challenges?

• Published in: Australian tax forum Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 819 - 844
• Main Author: Bray, J Rob
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Clayton Centre of Policy Studies 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Economic aspects; Family allowances; Historical analysis; Income taxes; Labor laws and legislation; Minimum wage; Social integration; Studies; Transfer payments; AUSTRALIA; Australia

The Australian minimum wage, as with Commonwealth income tax, had its origin in the early decades of federation. This article reviews the development of these, along with government transfers, to find whether, in the lessons of the past 100 years, there may be insights into the challenges for the in...