[Greens-Media] Iemma should follow Bracks' lead on MPs pay

[Alison Orme]

Media Release - 21 June 2007

Iemma should follow Bracks' lead on MPs pay 

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says Premier Iemma should show backbone and
follow Victorian Premier Steve Bracks in amending state legislation to
reduce the pay increase flowing to NSW MPs following the Remuneration
Tribunal's recent wage determination.

"If Premier Iemma does not adopt Premier Bracks' approach the NSW
government's greed and lack of principle will be on full display," Ms
Rhiannon said. 

"Premier Iemma should take a stand with Premier Bracks and save himself
the embarrassment of having MPs' wages soar while public sector workers'
pay is effectively frozen. 

"Victoria has shown NSW that the Remuneration Tribunal's determination
is not binding and that state governments have power to limit MPs' wage
increases.

"Only this week Treasurer Costa has sought to limit public sector
worker pay rises to 2.5 percent. NSW MPs are set to gain a 6.7 percent
rise.  

"For MPs to accept a pay rise almost double that imposed on public
sector workers is unconscionable. 

"The Greens position is that MPs' salaries and allowances should be
pegged to the CPI of the previous year," Ms Rhiannon said. 

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon – 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au