In spite of arguing for an inevitable pay rise for parliamentarians, the current state government apparently has a “problem” in prioritising the urgency of refunding Colony 47’s drop in facility.
Is it now time to start stripping the governor of Tasmania of his costly privileges so as to save such vital services?
How could an unelected 19th century style figure-head’s travel arrangements take funding precedence over the obligation of feeding 200 hungry Tasmanians?
Surely the revenue raised from the sale of the governor’s cars alone would keep Colony 47 in business for some months to come.
Returning his salary and further expenses to the Tasmanian treasury would certainly resolve some of the mighty moral inconsistencies the current government is being allowed to wallow in.
Without his own stately vehicle, the governor’s business would also guarantee a steady stream of revenue to the local taxi services, thus spreading more dollars into our community.
• Nick Mckim
GREENS’ PURSUE MPs PAY-RISE CONCERNS WITH PREMIER
Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader
Friday, 27 May 2011
The Tasmanian Greens today again raised concerns regarding the pay-rise expected for Tasmanian MPs in July, and said they would raise the issue with Premier Lara Giddings for the second time.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that even though the pay rise is due to Federal Parliamentarians receiving an increase, the timing of the estimated 7.2 per cent increase is out of step and insensitive at a time when the community is bracing itself for a tough State Budget.
“In March I wrote to the Premier requesting that she refer this matter to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission to investigate the implementation of a freeze on the current base salaries of State MPs, should the federal reforms eventuate,” Mr McKim said.
“At the time Ms Giddings undertook to seek advice on the best mechanism to ensure that this automatic flow-on does not occur in this instance, in line with our formal request.”
“On behalf of the Tasmanian Greens I will again be following up with Premier Giddings to ensure all appropriate options available to review this pay rise have been exhausted.”
“It is very hard to justify this increase at a time when many Tasmanians are being urged to tighten their belts and accept serious cost-savings measures coming down the line.”
“The Greens have a long held policy position that Parliamentarians do not directly set their own salary, whether to increase or decrease it, and therefore we requested that this matter be referred to an independent body. We remain of this view,” Mr McKim said.
Download: Copy of original March letter from Greens Leader Nick McKim MP to the Premier, re referring State MPs pay to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, (sent 7 March 2011):
