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Jeff Kennett: Hard to justify any pay rise for Victorian Premier

Given what Jacinta Allan has overseen over the past 12 years it is hard to see how she deserves any boost to her salary. But there’s hundreds of public servants and contractors earning even more than her.

Politicians’ salaries are again the subject of debate given the 3 per cent increases just announced.

There is no doubt the Premier of Victoria has an important position and responsibility.

Is the position worth more than the Premier of NSW? I doubt it!

When making adjustments to wages and salaries, the overriding bodies take into effect inflation, cost of living and a range of ingredients.

They make no judgement on the value added or otherwise of those having their salary adjusted.

Of course, where thousands of people are affected in assessing any movement in wage or salary, it is hard to assess individual performance.

But when you are talking about CEOs, premiers, senior officers, ministers, senior public servants, it is easy to assess performance.

It’s hard to justify any pay rise for Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Nadir Kinani
It’s hard to justify any pay rise for Premier Jacinta Allan. Picture: Nadir Kinani

In Victoria it is hard to justify any increase, or reward for effort for the premier or ministers, given what they have individually and collectively overseen over the past 12 years.

Never in Victoria’s history has the state been so indebted, the cost of that indebtedness so great it is undermining the provision of the basic services the state should be providing to its citizens.

Mind you there will be hundreds of public servants and contractors working on government projects, earning more than the Premier.

And all at a time while those providing our fundamental services struggle to be recognised.

The state government has allowed the public service to become the pacemaker for much of the private sector.

Just holding a position such as minister or premier or senior public servant should not alone determine salary. Picture: Valeriu Campan
Just holding a position such as minister or premier or senior public servant should not alone determine salary. Picture: Valeriu Campan

One thing is certain, cost of living and other ingredients that lead to increases in wages and salaries invariably ignore performance and productivity.

Just ask any small businessperson about the impact not only of increased wages and salaries but also increases in state taxes and charges, and energy costs in particular, and they would say as they are closing their business, that those responsible should be dismissed from their employment, or having their remuneration reduced not increased.

Just holding a position such as minister or premier or senior public servant should not alone determine salary.

Maybe a flat salary base, which could double if performance is judged independently to have been of value to the community.

The truth is Australia is one of the most expensive work environments in the western world. We have allowed this to happen,but it cannot continue at this pace without there being a major readjustment some time in the near future.

Teams deliver, not one person

The AFL world is a tough environment for all involved, be they players, coaches or administrators.

Sadly, with so many members of the Fourth Estate, journalists, earning their living solely from all things AFL, sometimes they “pile on” when a team is not performing well.

Right now, the pile-on is directed at Carlton, in particular their coach Michael Voss.

Many in the media are basically calling for or setting the scene for his dismissal. Unfair.

A coach alone does not win a football match. One person alone does not deliver, teams of people do.

Within a football club, it’s the strength of the whole from top to bottom that delivers.

In particular the quality of the board, the football department, in particular its recruiting personnel, coach, but importantlythe players.

If the players do not present to play, given the salaries they are paid, they should not be selected.

Michael Voss and Patrick Cripps at training. Picture: Quinn Rooney
Michael Voss and Patrick Cripps at training. Picture: Quinn Rooney

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps said the club’s poor form lay at the feet of the playing group and not the embattled coach.

Remember the commentary that surrounded the start of last season? It has reappeared this year. Brisbane Lions and Hawthorn both had slow starts to the season, yet both improved over the year, both appeared in finals and of course the Brisbane Lionswent on to win the premiership.

This year the Melbourne Football Club started slowly, and their coach was subjected to a great deal of negative publicity.

What I have often said is, in life it is not where you start but where you finish that matters.

While Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions are still great models, so too are Geelong and Collingwood.

Success does not come easily – in life as well as football – nor should it.

I do not know Michael Voss except to say hello to him. He is clearly an experienced and honourable fellow. Cheap shots by some in the media about the coach ignores the performance of the playing group.

Values still matter in football, and with Graham Wright starting as CEO of Carlton later this year, the club has an experienced ex-player and administrator with great personal values taking administrative control of Carlton.

I wish Carlton well – for there goes the fortune of any club.

Teams deliver, not one person.

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria

Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Hard to justify any pay rise for Victorian Premier

Jeff Kennett
Jeff KennettContributor

Jeff Kennett was premier of Victoria from 1992 to 1999, served two stints as Hawthorn Football Club president and was the founding chairman of Beyond Blue.

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/jeff-kennett-hard-to-justify-any-pay-rise-for-victorian-premier/news-story/3ac94a6a857e5c30dcabb38b2ea26e3f