Daniel Andrews says there is no pressure on MPs to donate controversial pay rise

Australia’s highest paid premier Dan Andrews has vowed to donate his latest pay rise to charity, but says he doesn’t expect other MPs to follow suit.

Daniel Andrews will donate his latest pay rise to charity but won’t mandate government MPs follow suit.

Already the highest paid premier in Australia, Mr Andrews’ pay was upped $10,000 on Friday, lifting his annual salary to more than $452,000.

It followed a recommendation by the state’s bureaucratic pay-setting tribunal to grant a 2.5 per cent increase to politicians’ base salaries and special allowances.

Mr Andrews said he would donate the amount, and more, to charity.

“As we always do, Cath and I make many donations to many different worthy causes. We do so anonymously,” he said.

“So I’ll be donating at least that much over the course of the year.

“Should everyone do it? That’s a matter for everyone. It’s a matter for them to determine what they do.”

Defending the rise, Mr Andrews said it was determined by an independent panel.

“It’s not me giving myself a pay rise, it’s not any of us giving ourselves anything, it is an independent process.

“But in the current climate, in the current time, I think it’s appropriate that we as a family continue the way in which we support many different worthy causes.

“We don’t make a big show of that.”

Daniel Andrews will donate his latest pay rise to charity

Following an 11.8 per cent pay increase for the Premier, Opposition Leader and frontbenchers last year, government MPs pledged to donate their increases to charity.

Mr Andrews said he wouldn’t be mandating a similar move this year.

The state opposition has flagged moves to block the pay rise, with Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien and other MPs vowing to donate the increase to charity.

Deputy Premier James Merlino has also promised to donate his pay rise and said he expected his colleagues to follow suit.

“I’m going to continue to support charity and my understanding would be … my expectation is that colleagues on both sides of the aisle will do the same,” he said.

On his first day back at work after four months recovering from a back injury, Mr Andrews said he was fit and raring to go.

Andrews tours the Arden Metro Station in North Melbourne. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

He vowed to contest the 2022 state election but stopped short of committing to serving a full term if re-elected.

Mr Andrews said that during his time away he never considered giving up politics.

But he lashed out at “vile” rumours that surrounded his fall, slamming the opposition for trying to weaponise the accident. Mr Andrews said the rumours also hurt his family, revealing his children had been affected.

“It is very, very hurtful when kids are being taunted at school,” he said.

“It is very hurtful when you see some of this stuff printed.

“And I’m not speaking for myself. I’m speaking on behalf of my family.

“Vile stories. And for people to try and turn that into a ­political weapon – well, I ­reckon they’ll be judged har­shly for that, and I reckon ­they should be.”