[Greens-Media] Greens call on new Premier to end MPs super rort

[Kristian Bolwell]

MEDIA RELEASE 1 August 2005


Greens call on new Premier to end MPs super rort

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said today one of the first jobs of the new Premier Mr Morris Iemma should be to end NSW MPs excessive retirement benefits that cost NSW taxpayers $15 million every year. 

"The new Premier can show he has the backbone for the top job by reining in the excessive payouts retiring NSW MPs receive," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Premier Carr announced on 12 February 2004 he would follow the lead of the federal parliament and end the excessive MP superannuation scheme. But he failed to honour that commitment. 

"NSW is the only state where this rort continues. All other parliaments, state and federal, in the country have ended this expense on the public purse. 

"The Greens initiated the "End MP's golden nest egg" in 1999. But it has been disappointing Premier Bob Carr refused to change the scheme even when his federal and state counterparts took action. 

"Earlier this year I wrote to the Premier when it became apparent he would not honour his promise and he said nothing would change until the 2007 election. 

"If Mr Iemma wants to do the right thing by the people of NSW and step out of Bob Carr's shadow, bringing NSW MPs superannuation scheme into line with the superannuation that the majority of working people receive on retiring, should be at the top of his To Do list," Ms Rhiannon said. 


More information: Lee Rhiannon  - 9230 3551 


Kristian Bolwell
Adviser to NSW 
Greens MLC 
Lee Rhiannon
tel: 02 9230 3551
fax: 02 9230 3550
www.lee.greens.org.au