Former treasurer Joe Hockey gets to double dip with ambassador pay and pension

FORMER Treasurer Joe Hockey is a double dipper and will be able to top up his $360,000 salary as our new US ambassador with an estimated $90,000-a-year pension.

IT’S official. Former Treasurer Joe Hockey is a double dipper and will be able to top up his $360,000 salary as our new US ambassador with an estimated $90,000-a-year pension.

But a Yes, Minister dispute has erupted as bureaucrats ­refuse to reveal how much he is being paid.

Mr Hockey, who famously rallied against “double-dipping’’ mums who wanted government funded maternity leave as well as their employer funded leave, will be eligible to double dip himself.

Mr Hockey, 50, is now in the ranks of Australia’s youngest political pensioners joining Natasha Stott Despoja, 46, and Bill O’Chee, 50, on lifetime ­annual pensions under the old parliamentary super scheme.

As a diplomat, he will be on a $360,000 a year. And as a political pensioner, that will be topped up by an estimated $90,000, making him better paid than he was as Treasurer.

But the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Finance are ­refusing to disclose his exact arrangements, with both ­departments claiming Mr Hockey’s pay is a matter for the other department.

Natasha Stott Despoja, like Joe Hockey, is one of the youngest political pensioners.

After the Turnbull government declined for four days this week to outline Mr Hockey’s pay arrangements, or whether he had asked to put his pension on hold, The Sunday Telegraph contacted Mr Hockey on his mobile.

After asking whether he would be claiming both a pension and a salary as ambassador the phone call was abruptly terminated.

“It would unreasonably misrepresent Mr Hockey and the department if you were to conclude that we refused to ­respond,’’ DFAT spokesman Ray Marcelo said.

“I’m sorry if you don’t agree but we don’t have any more to add to that answer.’’

Earlier, Mr Marcelo said Mr Hockey’s pay was a matter for the Finance Department.

“Just getting back to you after your questions to the Foreign Minister’s office about ambassador-designate Joe Hockey,” he said.

“Mr Hockey’s parliamentary superannuation arrangements are not a matter for the department … however, he will be subject to the same rules in relation to his parliamentary superannuation as have been applied to other former members of parliament serving as heads of mission or post.

“The Department of Finance is responsible for arrangements on parliamentary pensions. Former parliamentarians who take up an ‘office of profit’ are responsible for making these arrangements with Finance. DFAT is not involved in those arrangements.’’

A Finance spokesman said that Mr Hockey’s arrangements were not a matter for the department and the query should be handled by DFAT.

Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann accepted a pay cut after it was revealed he was enjoying a $500,000 salary because a “loophole’’ ­allowed him to claim both his pension and his salary.

The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to stipulate the salary for his new role but confirmed the pay level starts at $360,000.