Kate Langbroek left Australians divided on Sunday night when she said 16-year-old workers should get paid less than 40-year-old workers.
The comedian, 58, appeared on The Project to give her opinion on how pay scales should operate in the professional workforce as unions push to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards.
However, her firm stance that teenagers should not be on the same hourly rate or salary as middle aged adults sparked a huge divide among Instagram users when a clip of her appearance was posted online.
'It doesn't work. A girlfriend of mine has an ice cream shop... I remember her saying on a Sunday she had to pay a 16-year-old $38 an hour,' she said.
'Amazing money, but also she's like, "I'm teaching [the 16-year-old]. A 16-year-old can't do what a 40-year-old would do."'
Kate Langbroek, 58, left Australians divided on Sunday night when she said 16-year-old workers should get paid less than 40-year-old workers. Pictured front right with her husband Peter Allen Lewis and their children Lewis, 20, Sunday, 18, Artie, 16, and Jan, 14
Kate - who shares children Lewis, 20, Sunday, 18, Artie, 16, and Jan, 14, with husband Peter Allen Lewis - continued: 'So, especially small businesses, aren't they taking young people on not just "to exploit them" but also to teach them?'
Viewers flocked to The Project Instagram page to voice their own opinions on the matter, with many slamming Kate for her 'ridiculous' stance.
'What I can tell you is my teenage children both working in hospitality don't cop any less abuse and criticism from rude customers just because they're younger and being paid less than the adults around them,' one person wrote.
Another added: 'Ridiculous. Award wages for work regardless of age. We aren't talking about experience here, and the ice cream shop example is ridiculous. You'd have to teach a new employee regardless of how old they are.'
The comedian appeared on The Project to give her opinion on how pay scales should operate in the professional workforce as unions push to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards
A third said: 'But what if the teenager has been there longer than the 40yr… does that teen deserve more money… I mean it happens that the 40yr old could be the rookie.'
'They are employed to do the same job... of course they should be paid the same. Don't employ someone if you believe they are not capable,' someone else commented.
Despite the slew of backlash Kate received for her comments, many others came forward to support the radio host and agree with her views.
One person wrote: 'If salaries were the same you wouldn't hire the 16-year-old you would hire the 40-year-old and get the experience… jobs for teens would then quickly dry up.'
However, her firm stance that teenagers should not be on the same hourly rate or salary as middle aged adults sparked a huge divide among Instagram users
'Kate… the voice of reason… exactly… I have a teenager (just working) she's amazing… but she has a lot to learn in the workplace and pay should reflect that,' another agreed.
A third added: 'No! I've got great photos of what the 16-year-olds left behind for me to clean up. They have little rapport with older customers, can't wash dishes properly, can't sweep properly, the list goes on.'
'ABSOLUTELY NOT! The entitlement culture does not need more encouragement! It's wildly disrespectful to mature workers and their experience!' someone else commented.
The commentary comes as young workers across the nation could soon get a pay bump as unions seek to bring 18-year-old workers' earnings in line with the adult wage.
Kate said 16-year-olds should be paid less because employers have to train them up, whereas a 40-year-old usually has much more experience
Unions on Thursday filed a 'groundbreaking' application asking the industrial relations watchdog to abolish 'discriminatory' junior rates in retail, fast food and pharmacy awards and pay the full adult rate for workers 18 and over.
Currently, workers under the age of 20 in retail, fast food and pharmacy are paid less than the full adult wage.
Younger workers in those sectors across Australia will see a lift in wages if the case is successful, with benefits expected to flow onto enterprise agreements with junior rates.
The proposed changes could also result in a pay bump of between five to 10 per cent for workers under 16 to 50 per cent of the award and a 15 per cent pay increase for 17-year-olds.
