Pollies miss pay rise but get allowance boost

as posted here

WA's politicians look set to miss out on a pay rise next year, although they could get an increase in their electoral allowances after Labor revealed it had backed a boost in the payments in its submission to the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal

The independent tribunal, which takes into account submissions from the public and political parties, will announce its wage determination on Friday for the next financial year.

In its submission, the Barnett Government called for a freeze on both wages and electoral allowances because of the tough economic times.

Politicians' wages rose 4.2 per cent last year, taking a backbencher's salary to about $129,000 a year - slightly above the nation's other parliaments.

They received a similar increase in their electoral allowance, which helps them to manage expenses such as offices, to about $50,000 a year.

With other stipends such as car and travel allowances, the average backbencher collects more than $200,000 a year.

A Labor spokeswoman said a rise in the electoral allowance was warranted by the increasing technology and training costs facing local MPs.

Nationals leader Brendon Grylls said he supported freezing MPs salaries because the Government had asked the public service to "tighten its belt" and politicians should take the lead in these matters, but it had not made a submission.




as posted here