Rita Panahi: Victorian politicians’ generous salaries not resulting in superior governance

Victorian taxpayers are forking out big for politicians’ pay, but all we’re getting is the most inept state government and the second most inept opposition in the country.

Dan Andrews is the best politician in Australia so he arguably deserves to be the highest paid state premier.

Now, don’t call the authorities, I haven’t taken leave of my senses.

I’m well aware that the Premier is hopeless at governing, but there’s no doubting his political nous.

Just look at how effortlessly Dear Leader shifts blame, dodges responsibility and succeeds in making the spineless opposition dance to his tune.

Sure, Victoria has the country’s highest state debt, a rotten culture of corruption and cover-ups and the type of ideological bastardry that sees a number of radical bills pass without debate, but if an election were held today the Andrews government would win, and win easily.

Most of the credit goes to Andrews, though the impotent Victorian Opposition have done their best to assist Labor by backing everything from net zero targets to the racially divisive treaty to every radical element of the so-called anti-conversion Bill including changes to the Equal Opportunity Act that redefine “gender identity”.

Dan Andrews is now the highest paid state premier. Picture: Brendan Beckett

One wonders what Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has done to deserve his pay increase which will see him earn $370,782 per annum.

The Premier is well rewarded for his unique skills with his salary package rising to $464,918, including up to $58,435 in expenses and allowances.

It may have taken him around six years to complete an arts degree, but Premier Andrews earns more than his counterparts across the nation with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on $407,980, while Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will soon receive $427,000 after scoring three pay increases in just 12 months.

The decision by Victoria’s Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase base salaries and expense allowances from July 1 will see the state’s new Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan earn $395,738.

The new speaker of the lower house and president of the upper house will get almost $150,000 extra.

Victorian politicians are earning more than some world leaders.

French President Emmanuel Macron earns the equivalent of $213,000, while British Prime Minister Boris Johnson earns $291,000.

And they both earn considerably more than the leaders of dozens of countries around the globe.

The adage is that if you pay peanuts you get monkeys, but the generosity of Victorian taxpayers has not resulted in superior governance.

Indeed we have arguably the most inept state government and the second most inept opposition, after WA, in the country.