Ex-Liberal MP Dan Cregan donates Speaker pay rise to Adelaide Hills charities

Ex-Liberal MP Dan Cregan vowed to give his $150,000 pay rise for becoming Speaker to Hills charities – and on Wednesday, he got paid.

Newly independent MP Dan Cregan has delivered on his promise to do the work of the Speaker for a can of beans by donating his generous pay boost in his first pay packet to his local community.

The SA Country Womens Association Mt Barker branch on Thursday received a donation of $1500 with a further $800 donated to the HarMummies Adelaide Hills Choir.

The donations were the first in a series of fortnightly donations he promised to make to a range of Hills charities and community groups until the election.

“On becoming an independent Speaker I made two important commitments,” he said.

“The first was to drive Foster the Ford, my 50th anniversary Ford Falcon and the other was to donate the difference in my salary to community and other causes in the Hills.

“One hundred thousand public servants, including myself, received their pay (on Wednesday night) and I’m donating the pro-rata portion ($2300) that relates to my role as Speaker for the first donation to two local groups.”

Kavel MP Dan Cregan with SA CWA Mt Barker property manager Amanda Scott and HarMummies members Emily Linton with son Benjamin, 1, and Monique Billing with daughter Everleigh, seven months. Picture: Lydia Kellner

Mr Cregan said his office had been approached by a number of community groups since his announcement last week.

“A number of groups have approached us and we’re looking through their applications,” he said.

“We’re keen to distribute the money as far and wide as we can – particularly we’re strong supporters of Operation Flinders and they’ve been in contact with us, along with a number of other groups.”

He also dismissed claims by Premier Steve Marshall that his generosity was prompted by community backlash.

“I’m no longer a member of any political party and I’m donating my wage as a public servant,” he said.

“I’ve taken advice on whether I can do so and I’ve got the all clear.

“I’m not married, I don’t have any children and I guess my costs in life are different – I’ve got some bills to pay like everybody, but I’m pretty cheap to keep. How much does a guy really need?”

Mr Cregan became Speaker a week ago in a midnight coup after quitting the Liberal Party and moving to the crossbench. He then blindsided the state government by voting with Labor and other crossbenchers to amend legislation allowing an independent Speaker and taking on the plum role, which comes with a $150,000 pay rise.

SA-CWA Mount Barker spokeswoman Amanda Scott said she had worked with Mr Cregan during the bushfire response period and appreciated the donation.

“Dan always gets involved in our community and we appreciated his office helping to arrange the delivery of quilts from WA to SA by approaching Qantas for us,” Ms Scott said.

The HarMummies Adelaide Hills Mum’s Choir will also receive $800 as part of the first-round donation.

The group brings together mums from across the region to have fun, talk about their challenges and support their mental health and wellbeing.

Group spokeswoman Emily Linton said she had contacted Mr Cregan’s office seeking assistance.

“Every small donation helps us run our activities and we appreciate Dan’s efforts and his willingness to make good on his commitment to donate his wage,” she said.

“We don’t charge any joining or activity fees but have to pay licence fees for music, to maintain instruments and to hire a hall.”