I campaigned heavily on the subject of internships, and we've managed to pass something in the Northeast that actually addresses the balance. But first on the potential amendment.
We need a minimum wage for internships, especially those in government positions. In fact I'd argue we'd need it more, for example government jobs tend to be in very expensive urban centers meaning that employees would be forking out a lot of money for living costs. Without a minimum wage how can we expect all members of society to engage in government. We trap ourselves in a deadly cycle where only the rich can afford to enter public service, and then only the rich drive forward public property. How self serving would it look for the Senate to enforce on set of rules on business, whilst avoiding the same set of rules. Many prominent political organisations pay interns the living wage not because they have to, but because it's the decent, and moral thing to do.
In the NE we've been able to get something passed, relatively quickly that has helped to protect interns, I hope this legislation can be rolled out across all the regions
