Pay rise on cards across Tasman

The lowest-paid workers in NSW could win an early pay rise of almost A$20 ($22.35) a week after their unions were authorised by the state industrial tribunal to proceed with a wage case.

The Government and employers had asked the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to adjourn the wage case until the new Australian Fair Pay Commission hands down its first decision later this year.

But the commission yesterday ordered that the case should proceed and set down hearings to begin on June 5.