Voters in Victoria are incensed that state lawmakers will be getting paid increases—their second in as many years.
With a compensation package that approaches half a million dollars when benefits are taken into account, Jacinta Allan is currently the highest paid premier in the nation.
However, some of his legislative colleagues were taken aback when Deputy Premier Ben Carroll stated today that he would be donating his increase to UNICEF.
In accordance with the new fiscal year, all Members of Parliament received a 3.5% raise, or roughly $1 million in total.
More than $200,000 is now earned by backbenchers, and allowances for MPs have increased as well.
They will be entitled to an additional 3.4% for driving, 3.6% for travel, and 6.1% for electorate allowances per voter.
An impartial tribunal rendered the ruling, but it was made in the midst of hospital budget cuts, skyrocketing public debt, and extreme pressure to maintain standard of living.
Both the opposition leader and the prime minister are on leave, so it is unknown if they will also be giving their pay increases to charitable causes.
