MPs behaving badly awarded with allowance boost

“This boost to MP entitlements comes in a week where the reputation of NSW politicians has reached a new low and will only heighten the growing cynicism towards politicians in this state,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“A 14 percent increase to the controversial Sydney Allowance is a luxury.

“Country MPs have been given a cushion against rising fuel, food and accommodation costs while the rest of the community struggles without extra support.
 
“While Treasurer Michael Costa is offering public servants a 2.5 percent wage increase, politicians are reaping a 4.2 percent rise in allowances.

“Treasurer Costa must now offer the same increase to teachers, nurses, fire and emergency workers.

”The release of the annual MPs remuneration report late on a Friday afternoon to avoid scrutiny has become as strong a tradition as Friday night drinks.
 
"The Greens submission to the Tribunal called for all allowances and MPs salaries to increase by no more than the CPI of the previous year, and for money in the Electoral Allowance not spent on work related matters to be returned to consolidated revenue.

"It was disappointing that these reasonable recommendations were ignored even though only a few years ago the Tribunal had also called for unspent EA monies to be returned to the public purse. The Tribunal dropped that recommendation after intense lobbying from the major parties.

"So the Electoral Allowance continues to operate as a back-door pay rise as MPs can keep it as salary if they do not spend it.

"The Electoral Allowance ranges from $38,975 to $80,095," Ms Rhiannon said.


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[via Lee Rhiannon MLC Media Release 14 June 2008 link]