Could that possibly be a bad sounding thing that turns out to be a good thing? I am not familiar with Australian labor issues.
For adults who depend on these kind of jobs to pay the bills, I cannot see this as a good thing in anyway.
It also incentivizes teenagers to work instead of hang around parking lots being goofballs.
I liked hanging around parking lots being a goofball. Not that it wasn't a privilege to be in that position and that teenagers shouldn't be able to support themselves through work if they need or want to, but I'm also glad I didn't want or need to trade it in for a few extra dollars.
Is that a bad thing (in the long run)? More people with work experience = more people who are enjoyable at higher rates later on. Maybe a bit of short-term pain, but everyone's better off in the long run?
Only if adults can't compete with teenagers.
At that level, "cheaper" is the killer feature. There's no competing with the cheaper option.
Doubt it. Australia doesn't have a problem. And there are a finite number of minors, and they're not allowed to work full time any way.
If you can’t do the job you’re not worth hiring whatever the cost.