[Greens-Media] Iemma should follow Rudd and cap MPs’ pay

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon  Media Release 15 February 2007

Iemma should follow Rudd and cap MPs’ pay

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is calling on Premier Iemma to follow Prime
Minister Rudd’s lead and begin the new parliamentary year by acting to
freeze MPs’ wages for 18 months.

“When the 18 month freeze is lifted, Premier Iemma should legislate
to link MPs’ pay to the CPI,” Ms Rhiannon said.
 
“There is no performance based justification for NSW MPs to continue
to earn wage rises well above other workers in the state. 

 “Prime Minister Rudd and former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks have
shown that it is possible to put a cap on MP’s wages. 

“Now Premier Iemma must show the same kind of spine.

“Greens Senator Bob Brown and other Green state MPs have long called
for MPs’ salaries and allowances to be pegged to the CPI of the
previous year.  

 “Working people get understandably angry that MP wages keep rising
while their own pay packet stays the same.

“Putting a stop on disproportionate wage rises for politicians is an
important symbolic act that may earn the Iemma government, struggling
with an image problem, a little bit of respect,” Ms Rhiannon said.


For more information: 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