Pharmacy Daily | Public back penalty rates

PHARMACY staff deserve more for working on Sundays, data from ABC's Vote Compass reveals.

The poll found two-thirds of Australians support Labor's plan to reintroduce penalty rates within 100 days, should they be elected on 18 May.

Labor voters were the most likely to call for the reintroduction of Sunday rates (83%), followed by Green Party supporters (70%) and One Nation (61%), while Coalition voters were divided on the idea (39% supporting Sunday rates, with 40% wanting to retain the status quo).

The broadcaster reported that constituencies with higher proportions of professionals and managers, were more likely to support retaining the cuts, while inner city electorates were the keenest supporters of bringing Sunday penalty rates back.

In addition to the call for the reintroduction of penalty rates, 71% of voters felt the minimum wage should be increased, with support for a new minimum rate coming from across the political spectrum.

More than 80% of Labor and Greens supporters believe the minimum wages should be raised by the next Government, while 61% of One Nation voters have backed an increase, with 49% of those who intend voting for the Coalition support boosting the minimum wage.

The survey also found the perception of trade union power has declined since 2016, with 36% of voters now claiming unions have too much power in the workplace, down from 41%.