Social Legislation 1901–Social Legislation 1901–19141914

Most Significant Most Significant ChangesChanges

Harvester JudgementHarvester Judgement Basic WageBasic Wage Invalid and old-age Pension Invalid and old-age Pension

SchemesSchemes Maternity Allowance SchemeMaternity Allowance Scheme

Harvester JudgementHarvester Judgement 1907 Justice Higgins established what became 1907 Justice Higgins established what became

known as the Harvester Judgementknown as the Harvester Judgement It was named after the determination whether H.V. It was named after the determination whether H.V.

McKay’s Sunshine Harvester Company was paying a McKay’s Sunshine Harvester Company was paying a fair wagefair wage

This set down in law the concept of a Basic WageThis set down in law the concept of a Basic Wage Higgins calculated the amount of money required to Higgins calculated the amount of money required to

feed, house, clothe and a minimum standard of feed, house, clothe and a minimum standard of living for a couple with 3 children – 7 shillings a day living for a couple with 3 children – 7 shillings a day for a 6 day weekfor a 6 day week

This became the method for determining a minimum This became the method for determining a minimum wage for unskilled workers over the next 60 yearswage for unskilled workers over the next 60 years

Skilled workers were to be paid moreSkilled workers were to be paid more Women were paid 54% of a man’s minimum wageWomen were paid 54% of a man’s minimum wage

Court of ArbitrationCourt of Arbitration

•After Federation a Commonwealth After Federation a Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration Court of Conciliation and Arbitration was set up in 1904was set up in 1904•It was here that industrial disputes It was here that industrial disputes that involved more than one state that involved more than one state could be resolvedcould be resolved• Justice Higgins was one of the judges Justice Higgins was one of the judges of this courtof this court•The system is still operating todayThe system is still operating today

PENSIONSPENSIONS

1908 – Commonwealth Old Age 1908 – Commonwealth Old Age Pension and Invalid PensionPension and Invalid Pension

1912 – Workers’ Compensation1912 – Workers’ Compensation

Maternity Allowance Maternity Allowance SchemeScheme

This was also known as the “Baby This was also known as the “Baby Bonus”Bonus”

It was about 2 week’s pay and It was about 2 week’s pay and was intended to help provide was intended to help provide proper medical attention for the proper medical attention for the mother and her new babymother and her new baby

It was introduced by the Fisher It was introduced by the Fisher Labor Government in 1912Labor Government in 1912

TIME LINE ACTIVITYTIME LINE ACTIVITY

Create a linear timeline using an Create a linear timeline using an appropriate scale and record the appropriate scale and record the industrial and social reforms 1901 industrial and social reforms 1901 - 1914- 1914

Empathy TaskEmpathy Task

Write about the impact of one or more Write about the impact of one or more of the industrial and social reforms of the industrial and social reforms 1901 – 19141901 – 1914

Choose one of the following formsChoose one of the following forms– Letter (to the editor; personal)Letter (to the editor; personal)– NarrativeNarrative– Script (interview, play)Script (interview, play)– PoemPoem

You should write about 200 wordsYou should write about 200 words

End of PresentationEnd of Presentation