Voices Of Victoria: Locals slam state politicians’ ‘disgusting’ pay rises

Community members have not minced their words on a decision to give Victorian MP’s a pay rise while they battle the rising cost of living. Here’s what they had to say.

Community members have shared their thoughts on Victorian politicians’ recent pay rise for Leader’s Voices of Victoria poll.

Community members have hit out at an independent tribunal’s decision to give our state’s MPs a pay rise while everyday battlers struggle with the rising cost of living.

In this week’s Voices Of Victoria poll, Leader reporters spoke to residents and shoppers from Williamstown to Wantirna South, and as far as Mount Beauty, to get their thoughts on the recent boost to pollies’ pay packets.

The independent renumeration tribunal decided to lift the yearly base, additional salaries and expense allowances by 2.75 per cent – giving each MP an average $5000 increase.

As of Friday, each of Victoria’s 128 MP’s is on a salary of more than $192,000, with ministers taking home $370,000, and secretaries receiving $272,000.

Premier Daniel Andrews is on close to $465,000, the highest salary of any state leader in Australia.

See what our readers had to say, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Pam Morris, Albury/Mt Beauty

Pam Morris from Albury/Mt Beauty shares her opinion about Victorian politicians receiving a pay rise.

“It's disgusting. Didn’t they have one last year?

“The politicians aren‘t going to put a stop to their own pay rise, which really does annoy me because those poor businesses who have really done it tough in the Covid era for two years, and some of them aren’t surviving and these politicians don’t care.

“And I’m not saying that because of the pay rise, I’m saying that because they actually don’t care.

“The cost of living has gone up, yes, my house insurance bill has just gone up by $10 for the next year. It‘s not a lot, but it’s enough.”

Diane Dawson, Ballarat

Diane Dawson from Ballarat thought people of all occupations, including politicians, should live within their means.

“I just think put a stop on pay rises and on items going up, and just try and live with what we have at the moment.

“That’s all I’ve thought about it. But I’m not in a position where I have to pay a home off or have children.”

Michelle Parry, Ballarat (no photo)

“I believe nurses and ambos and all that should get a better pay rise before they do.

“In these times with everything going up, I don’t know why they (politicians) get a pay rise and nobody else does.”

Adrian Marshall, Williamstown

Williamstown resident Adrian Marshall, 20. Picture: Liam Beatty.

Williamstown cafe worker Adrian Marshall believes it’s a “bit rich” for Victoria’s politicians to give themselves a pay rise while many others are being impacted by the rising cost of living.

“They’re already on a lot of money,” he said. “It feels out of touch to give themselves a pay rise while many are doing it tough.”

“I know my work has been struggling, so I don’t feel comfortable asking for a rise. Must be nice to be able to give yourself a pay rise like that.”

Amy Dufty, Pascoe Vale

Amy Dufty, of Pascoe Vale, had her say about politician pay rises as part of our Voices of Victoria poll.

“I think he (Dan Andrews) needs it personally, out of all them, absolutely he does. He deserves it.

“I think if they are going to get that pay rise, what I want to know is what are they going to deliver for us?

“In that 12 months, what’s their KPIs to deliver savings, over and above what we’re paying them, to Victorian families?

“We’re (my partner and I) in the middle of changing how we live, how we work and our day cares to be able to afford things.

“The last month and a half we’ve decided to make a change but probably in the last six months we’ve noticed the rising cost of groceries, everything.

“It (politicians getting pay rises) adds pressure to how I feel but I want to know what I get for my money, essentially.

“I would like them (Victorian politicians) to figure out how to address the rising cost in power and electricity. I know there was a rebate announced recently, a one-off, but what’s happening long-term?

“What are we going to do to try and help control the rising petrol costs as well?

“And the continuing food supply issues – it’s still ongoing. Covid’s at ‘Covid normal’ but the impact of supply issues is still ongoing.

“There’s definitely much more that they could be doing.”

Mandy Davies, Rowville

Mandy Davies has her say on politicians getting a pay raise in Victoria. Picture: Alice Barker.

“It makes my skin crawl to tell you the truth. It’s seriously so unfair.

“If only they took a moment to spend a day in the life of an everyday Victorian who works and works and works so hard to get everything that they can to try and look after their families. It does my head in.

“They should know because they make the policies but I feel like they’re not well informed. They’re oblivious to an everyday persons life.

“Maybe I shouldn’t put them all in the same category but after what everyone has been through for the past two and a half years, I don’t agree with it at all.”

Geoff Leedon, Wantirna South

Voices of Victoria: Geoff Leedon, Wantirna South.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate at all, they have to set an example for everyone else.

“People are doing it very hard at the moment, and they definitely should not have got one to the degree they got.”