Pay rises amid overhaul of Victorian government positions

While everyday workers wait with bated breath for a pay rise, a lucky few in Spring St are set for a healthy boost to their pay packet.

Premier Daniel Andrews’ parliamentary secretary will get a $10,000 pay boost under new laws Labor has put to state parliament.

And a new position of deputy government whip will be created, worth an extra $16,000 for the backbencher appointed.

The new perks are separate to a Bill that will create a new remuneration tribunal to set pay levels for all state MPs and executives.

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That tribunal would have to do a work value test for MPs within 180 days of laws passing, in order to decide if the basic backbencher salary of $158,555 should be increased.

The draft laws stipulate an MP can’t be worse off under the tribunal recommendation than under current rules, but caps the potential new salary at what federal parliamentarians receive — about $203,000.

As well as creating an independent pay adjudicator, the parliament would hire two new compliance officers to check on the use of allowances and clamp down on rorts.

Rorts by the likes of Don Nardella led to changes.

The laws were first flagged after former speaker Telmo Languiller and former deputy speaker Don Nardella rorted tens of thousands of dollars by claiming they lived by the sea so they could pocket a country residence allowance.

The laws were shelved close to the state election, after the state opposition indicated it would oppose them.

Special Minister of State Gavin Jennings said the government was overhauling the system to stop MPs determining their own salaries and to ensure only legitimate expenses were claimed.

Mr Andrews’ parliamentary secretary is Danny Pearson, who was tipped to be elevated to Cabinet but missed out on a position during the post-election reshuffle.

There is no position of deputy whip at the moment, with caucus to vote on who would take the title if the laws are passed.

The backbencher salary of $158,555 increases each year in line with Victorian wage growth, and is supplemented by an expense allowance worth about $12,500.

Premier Dan Andrews and Attorney-General Jill Hennessy. Picture: Sarah Matray

Ministers get more than $300,000 a year in salary and allowances, while the Premier’s package is worth about $380,000.

Attorney-General Jill Hennessy yesterday released the government’s response to a ­judicial entitlements review, deferring a decision boosting magistrates’ leave to six weeks.

She said the government and the courts would launch a “review of magistrates’ working conditions”, which would consider leave arrangements in light of increased workloads.

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