According to news reports Victorian politicians
are expected to give themselves generous pay rises
under legislation introduced to Parliament.

We're told that, "New MPs will also get a better
Superannuation deal under big changes to parliamentary
salaries and allowances."

"The bipartisan legislation proposes increasing backbenchers'
wages by 8% and a 15% increase for Shadow Ministers and the
Opposition Leader. Ministers and the Premier would get a 2.5%
pay rise. The budget for the Opposition Leader would also
increase by $500,000 a year, to $2 million dollars."

We're told that, "Salaries for MPs who entered Parliament
after 2004 would increase from 9% to 15% in line with
Federal arrangements."

In exchange for the changes MPs would lose some allowances,
including free parking at the airport and free inter-state
rail travel.

The base salary for a State MP is $137,000.

The Federal MPs last year received a $50,000 increase.

We're seeing cuts to TAFE, emergency services, firefighters
are struggling as are teachers and yet we have politicians
awarding themselves pay increases.

Is this justified? What do posters think?

Is this justified? What do posters think?
Lexi,
I think it outright disgusting & immoral. This is yet another big dent in my support for the Coalition if they go ahead with it. Are they trying to emulate Labor ? I would like to see Clive Palmer's reply to that.

I think Lexi, with all due respect, acknowledging your right to post such stuff, accepting your prior balance and traditional moderation, not to mention the respect you demonstrate to other posters, this is an outrageous dog whistle to those who base their ideology on envy.

This is not the Lexi I have come to respect.

Sorry but I expect much, much more from you

Dear spindoc,

I'm sorry if I have somehow disappointed you by simply
quoting facts that have been in all our newspapers here
in Victoria. Victoria at present is being hit by
all sorts of cuts. Seeing as this is a forum on social
and political debate - and the government cuts are effecting
so many Victorians I thought that this topic would be an appropriate
one for discussion.

However if you feel so strongly - you are under no obligation
to contribute to this discussion.

cont'd ...

I feel so sorry for people like ambulance drivers,
paramedics, nurses, fire-fighters, teachers, and others, who
work so hard and are responsible for our and our families health, well-being, education, and so on - and who are feeling the
cuts in services and deserve to be paid for the effort that they
put in.

It is absolutely immoral that this concern is being
described as "envy."

In an emergency -would you rather have a fire-man, police man, paramedic, come to your aid or would you rather have an overpaid
politician? Would you rather have teachers teaching your
children or politicians?

Most of the work being done in the states is done by under-paid
public servants. The politicians only take the credit.

No Lexi, that won’t do at all, you should have started by acknowledging the pay rises our federal government have awarded themselves, then I would accept this as your traditional balance, without that it remains an unworthy dog whistle.

Just look what you provoked from Indy.

Not good Lexi and it has nothing whatsoever to do with you disappointing me. You know I’m bullet proof, have no emotions, lack credibility, care about no one and am ideologically unsound.

It is your hard earned reputation and credibility that is not well served by this post. This is not you Lexi, don’t lay it off on me.