OPINION: MPs need to earn their retirement packages

ISN’T it time we introduced performance-based pension payments for our pollies?

RETIREMENT: It won’t be that bad for Mal Brough, he’s in line for a healthy pension. Picture: Inga Williams

ISN'T it time we introduced performance-based pension payments for our pollies?

Wyatt Roy will score himself a lump-sum payment of about $100,000 after being defeated in the seat of Longman by Labor's Susan Lamb.

Former Senator Glenn Lazarus will also score himself a healthy farewell fund of about $50,000 and can also cash in his super when he hits 65.

Former Member for Fisher, Mal Brough, who retired from Parliament under clouds of controversy surrounding the Slipper diaries scandal, will earn himself a reported $117,000 per year pension.

While young Mr Roy will have to wait some time before he ever accesses his Parliamentary super, the comfort of a $100,000 parting gift is sure to ease that pain.

About 14 MPs and Senators in total will be eligible for the one-off payout.

Sure, most employees are entitled to severance packages, but the argument that the removal of a safety net would stop everyday people running for Parliament is invalid.

How many of our current or recently departed elected representatives are actually "everyday people"?

We've had private school-raised businessmen, former sporting stars, union officials, radio shock jocks and political party insiders all selected.

Perhaps if we removed the safety net and made pension payments a sliding scale equal to projects delivered or funding gained for a region we'd see MPs working harder to earn the healthy retirement packages we pay for.

Originally published as OPINION: MPs need to earn their retirement packages