CANBERRA, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has for the first time formally backed a controversial decision to cut the nation's penalty rates -- or pay rates on Sunday and public holidays -- amid concerns it could slash thousands from the annual income of the nation's lowest income earners.
Malcolm Turnbull has previously distanced himself from the independent Fair Work Commission's decision to reduce higher rates of pay on Sundays for fast food, retail, hospitality and pharmacy workers from this July but told Macquarie radio on Friday that the government was fully behind the move.
"We do support it," Turnbull said. "I have been very clear about that."
"The Fair Work Commission decided to back small business and (my government) backs small business."
The prime minister reiterated that last month's decision to cut penalty rates which was done in order to promote growth in small business was not a government decision; it was an independent panel which deemed the changed to be in the nation's best interests.
"It is important to remember this was not a decision from the government, it was an independent considered decision of the independent umpire of the Fair Work Commission, every member of which was appointed by a Labor government, three of who were appointed by (Opposition Leader) Bill Shorten."
While the government has backed the Fair Work Commission's plan to phase in the new penalty rates "over two years, possibly longer, but not as long as five", the opposition has vowed to take the issue to the election, after sustained backlash from low income workers and the unions.
