Waltzing Matilda and the Sunshine Harvester Factory

A history resource written and published by Fair Work Australia in 2011, the book discusses the early history of the Arbitration Court, the Australian minimum wage, working hours and paid leave. The book looks at the establishment of a minimum wage, beginning with the Harvester decision of 1907 that 7 shillings a day for an unskilled labourer was 'fair and reasonable wages'. It describes the later change to equal award pay for women and Aboriginal stockmen, and the development of special minimum wages for adolescents and apprentices. It also looks at the development of sick leave, annual leave and parental leave.