Christmas payrise for MPs

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Christmas payrise for MPs

3News NZ

While Christmas is still grim financially for many New Zealanders, politicians - who earn nearly three times the average wage - are about to pocket even more.

Mana MP Hone Harawira says he and his fellow MPs “don’t deserve it”, but Labour leader David Shearer wouldn’t say.

“It's not up to me about whether I deserve or not deserve it,” he says.

To keep things tidy, it's up to an independent group – the Remuneration Authority – to decide how much MPs are paid.

Prime Minister John Key says the increase was the authority’s idea.

“Pretty much every year they've written to me and recommended an increase and I’ve tended to [have written] back saying, ‘don’t do that’, and they've delivered one anyway.”

Since 2005, backbencher salaries have risen by $24,000 to $141,000. Over the same period the Prime Minister's rose by $64,000 to $411,000.

Mr Key says he’s comfortable for that to go up a little further.

“This year the recommendation is for a small increase. It seems to be in line with the national average, maybe slightly lower, so I’ve written back saying in principle we're comfortable with that.”

The average pay rise was 1.9 percent, so assume MPs get a 1.5 percent raise like they did last year – that's $2,000 for backbenchers and $6,000 for the Prime Minister, plus any extra allowances.

And because it's back paid, they get half as a lump sum.

MPs' pay rises are typically announced around this time of year, and this lot will be formalised on Thursday.

It's part of what's known as the ‘end of year dump’ of negative headlines that politicians hope will slip past a busy public.

3 News

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Comments

2/01/2013 12:25:30 a.m.

Joanne Ritchie wrote:

Are you kidding me??, with so many New Zealanders struggling! And they take more of New Zealands money???? I dont care what they call it, there are people who need the money more than them!!! Our country is going to the pack, fast!!!

23/12/2012 2:58:55 p.m.

Just Me wrote:

Since 2005 I have probably had an extra 50 cents an hour before tax in the form of 'pay increases'.I work long and hard hours for stuff all in return.And then to hear a bunch of free-loading,self-serving,underworked,overpaid politicians getting yet another back-dated pay increase is enough to make me want to vomit. Now if my calculations are correct is more money in the form of backdated pay-increases being paid to a huge bunch of incompetent politicians e.g Judith Collins,John Key,Bill English,Hekia Parata,Steven Joyce,Gerry Brownlee,Paula Bennett,John Banks etc, etc, etc than what David Bain is seeking in compensation? It seems the money for our bunch of self-serving politicians(of all political parties in the Beehive)is so easily found but David Bain will be fluffed about due to Judith Collin's nastiness and contradictory behaviour when it comes to compensation for someone who has served many years in prison for a crime he most likely did not commit.David Bain probably was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

21/12/2012 7:49:06 p.m.

Deadkiwi wrote:

OMG what a f%#$n joke

20/12/2012 4:50:52 p.m.

Lisa wrote:

I love this!! Since 2005, backbencher salaries have risen by $24,000 to $141,000. Over the same period the Prime Minister's rose by $64,000 to $411,000. That is some salary increase. I would really like to see a party advocate to have MP salaries reduced back in line with the national average. Would be like a Tui add however "yea right"

20/12/2012 10:38:01 a.m.

Devan wrote:

Why is it that John Key's salary is $411,000 and he 'runs' a country with a tiny population and a miniscule economy in global terms. He is paid more than prime ministers and presidents of significantly larger countries namely Canada ($317,000) and the USA ($400,000)and only a portion less than the Australian PM ($495,000). We all know how much bigger and economically stronger Aussie is! Some claim that Key doesn't accept his pay, where's the proof?

19/12/2012 8:32:10 p.m.

Not Right wrote:

How out of touch are NZ MPs with the rest of New Zealanders! We recieve fuel tax rises to cover a shortfall in their budgeting, high unemployment, high costs of living etc etc etc, while MPs put their noses in the trough and happily take payrises. Just not right for people who earn very nice incomes and from what I can see don't deliver.

19/12/2012 7:55:39 p.m.

Anonymous wrote:

It seems pretty fair really MP's work hard and they need their Bentley s and $100.00 lunches. What right do I have to a job a house or a student loan that doesn't make me into a wage slave. Under National there is only one policy wealth for the wealthy scraps for everyone else.

19/12/2012 6:33:02 p.m.

disgruntled wrote:

As a govt employee,I have not had a pay rise under this govt for Four years. We have been told to rein in fiscal spending, find any avenue possible to save money from our already tight operating budget. Now we know were our cost cutting measures are going..... certainly not to the people who need it. And you, Mr Key point the finger at the renumeration authority, saying its out of our control. Well Mr Key grow some nuts, make the excutive decision and stop this nonsense. Give it to the New Zealanders that need it. Shame on you

19/12/2012 1:47:35 p.m.

cherie wrote:

Some people are just stupid. NATIONAL did not do this. The only person I know who gives his salary back is the PM. I note that the Labout Leader didnt say oh I wont take it did he!!!!!!!

19/12/2012 12:55:52 p.m.

John wrote:

@Bulgar: no they dont think this will make us all better people. They don't even bother trying to make us THINK that. This is National - one idea, one method of governing. I wouldn't be surprised if this was some kind of population control - let the poor die from malnutrition. I believe if we all band together, we could take National to court and demand they take responsibility for their actions while in government. This is far, FAR beyond a joke.