MP pay packet probe

Review finds Tassie pollies are the poorest paid

TASMANIA’S state MPs are the lowest- paid in the nation, a new report has revealed.

The state’s Industrial Commission is reviewing the way salaries and allowances are set for the 25 House of Assembly and 15 Legislative Council parliamentarians.

But it says it hasn’t heard from many people with a strong opinion on the topic.

“Submissions have been previously invited with very little response,” the commissioners note in an issues paper published on its website.

Tasmania’s MPs receive a base salary of $ 140,185.

Members also receive an electorate allowance of up to $ 53,000 and a vehicle allowance of $ 15,000, plus communications expenses.

Some receive a Bass Strait travelling allowance and an entertainment allowance.

There are loadings for various jobs with extra responsibility: the Premier receives an extra $ 161,212 on top of his basic salary and ministers receive an additional $ 98,219 for taking on the job.

The closest comparable state is Western Australia, which pays a base salary of $ 156,536. South Australia pays its state politicians the highest base salary, $ 178,507 and federal MPs receive $ 207,100, the issues paper says. Tasmania has the smallest state parliament, but members also represent the fewest numbers of electors per member. NSW MPs represent three times as many voters on average.

One respondent said this meant they should get a pay cut. “Tasmanian parliamentarians have less responsibility and have to work less assiduously than their national counterparts,” he said. “On these criteria alone, Tasmanian parliamentary salaries should be reduced not increased.”

In its submission, Unions Tasmania said some members had seen their pay rise by 12 per cent in recent years, while other public sector workers had received just 6 per cent.

“While most workers in the private and public sectors have had to justify ‘ productivity gains’ or other savings in order to win sometimes meagre wage raises, no such trade- off occurs with MP salaries,” the submission said.

The commission notes that MPs need to display a broad range of skills including leadership skills; community representation skills; interpersonal skills; negotiation and influencing skills; debating skills; speaking in public; research and analytical skills; IT- related skills; chairing skills and knowledge of the way government works.

In her submission, Legislative Council member for McIntyre Tania Rattray said MPs should get three months’ pay when they leave parliament.

One public submission noted that MPs receive almost 400 per cent of the minimum wage.