Nine msn reported that a wage rise awarded to Queensland's lowest paid public servants shows that the state government can afford such increases.

A union said that about 1000 local government workers and staff from parents and citizens' associations have been awarded a 2.9% pay rise after the independent industrial umpire ruled in their favor late last week.

An excerpt from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission's decision said that "We are of the view that the projected growth in the state's economy generally over the next 12 months is able to accommodate the wage increase granted."

Mr John Battams president of Queensland Council of Unions said that it shows the state's economic outlook is not as bad as the Newman government have been claiming. The pay rise will give the state's lowest paid public servants about an extra USD 20 a week and will lift Queensland's minimum wage to about USD 630 per week.

Source - News.ninemsn.com

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