MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy's salary has risen by more than $22,000, following the first ruling of Victoria's Independent Remuneration Tribunal.
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The body handed down its first review and determination on the salaries and allowances of State Members of Parliament on Tuesday.
It said as of that day, a politician's basic salary would rise to $182,413 - up from $163,189. The tribunal also resolved to incorporate the expense allowance into members' salaries.
Ms Kealy is also entitled to extra pay and an eight per cent expense allowance as a shadow minister.
Under the updated system, these payments are $6968 and $11,423 respectively.
Ms Kealy is the opposition's spokeswoman for the Mental Health, Women and Prevention of Family Violence portfolios.
On July 1 next year, this extra entitlement will rise to $15,939.
This will take Ms Kealy's overall salary to $209,775 - up from $187,667 on Monday.
Ms Kealy said while she had not examined the details of the new salaries and allowances, she didn't think the decision met "community expectations".
"The premier (Daniel Andrews) is getting an extra $46,000 a year when people are in jobs not paying that well that are still difficult," she said. "Look at the role of a stay-at-home parent. The premier needs to make a comment about why it's okay for him to get a pay rise.
"I do my job because I'm enormously proud of working for my community. Making a difference - not money - is what should drive anyone in parliament."
Ms Kealy is also entitled to an annual electorate allowance of $48,357, a travel allowance of $17,226, a parliamentary accommodation sitting allowance of $26,609 and a $30,000 motor vehicle allowance, given Lowan is an electorate larger than 20,000 square kilometres.
Independent Remuneration Tribunal chairman Warren McCann said this was the first time an impartial body had looked at politician's paychecks.
The tribunal was established in March to make decisions on the remuneration for Victorian MPs and public sector executives.
He said incorporating a expense allowance into the salary would "reduce complexity and improve transparency".
"This was for most purposes treated in the same way as an MP salary - taxable and payable fortnightly. There were also no rules applying to how it was spent and thus no reporting obligations," he said.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
