The Albanese government has been given until Friday to outline its stance on a “fair” wage increase for the nation’s lowest paid employees. 

The Fair Work Commission has released its amended deadlines for the 2021-22 Annual Wage Review, with unions and other stakeholders able to respond to the government’s position by Wednesday next week. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to President Iain Ross last Friday, seeking permission to make a new government submission after Labor emerged victorious at the federal election. 

“The new submission will outline my government’s position on a fair increase to minimum and award wages for Australia’s lowest paid workers, noting the rising costs of living,” Mr Albanese’s letter reads. 

“I welcome your advice on the timeline for lodging the new government submission and process for finalising the Annual Wage Review.” 

The commission in its timetabling decision took into account that from mid-April up until late May, the federal government had been in caretaker mode.

During the election campaign, Mr Albanese said he supported a pay increase for workers earning the minimum wage to match inflation at 5.1 per cent. 

But following Labor’s election win, the government appears to have walked back on putting a figure in the submission, saying it believes workers shouldn’t receive a real pay cut. 

By Tess Ikonomou in Canberra