Labor MPs donate pay rises to prison officers as they fight for more pay

As long-running pay negotiations continue between the Queensland government and the union representing prison officers, one MP has made a generous move.

A Labor politician will donate his pay rise to prison officers until they have their long-running pay dispute with the government finalised.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt, who was a former prison officer himself, is donating the money to a group called Response, which is set up to support the mental health of prison officers.

The Courier-Mail understands Labor colleague and Toohey MP Peter Russo has also told the group he will donate.

Earlier this year it was announced members of parliament who were on a base salary of $159,122, would receive a two per cent pay rise in September, a 2.25 per cent increase in March 2022 and 2.5 per cent in September, taking their overall pay packet to about $170,000.

The move comes as a new pay offer from Queensland Corrective Services for staff has been tabled, after years of negotiations, but has been rejected by the Together Union representing officers.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt.

Toohey MP Peter Russo.

Together assistant branch secretary Michael Thomas said prison first year officers were paid less than a cleaner’s salary and received under $50,000. He said the offer was nearly identical to one rejected in 2019.

It’s understood the offer was a one-off $1250 payment and a 2.5 per cent pay rise per year, over four years.

“We have huge issues with what they’re doing for the mental health of prison officers,” Mr Thomas said.

“Capricornia (where there was a riot on Friday) is a good example; people we sent home without a debrief so they (Queensland Corrective Services) could avoid paying overtime.”

Mr Thomas said the union would take a counter offer to corrective services this week.

The union has been in negotiations for a replacement wage agreement and the matter has been referred to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission for arbitration.

However that is on hold until an outcome of an appeal by the union to the Industrial Court on another state wage case called 12/12 which the union says is testing the legality of paying below award rates.

But a deal on the pay offer could still be made outside of arbitration.

Prison officers have already marched and protested outside the office of Corrective Services Minister Mark Ryan, with officers there making a vote of no confidence.

Mr Thomas said officers had spoken about protesting outside the office of Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace in coming weeks.

A government spokesman said custodial officers were valued and that the government was trying to resolve the Enterprise Bargaining negotiations without the need for arbitration.

“And it’s important to note that at the same time, the government is making a record investment in prison capacity with approximately 2000 extra beds being built over the next two years,” the spokesman said.