Victorian state election 2018: Liberal Democrats telling candidates they must line party coffers if elected
A minor party vying for a foothold in state parliament is telling candidates they must tip as much as $30,000 of their wage into the organisation’s coffers if they are elected.
Victoria State Election
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A minor party vying for a foothold in state parliament is telling candidates they must tip as much as $30,000 of their wage into the organisation’s coffers if they are elected.
The Liberal Democrats party is running four lower house candidates and 17 upper house hopefuls at the November 24 election.
Party spokeswoman Kelly Burke said MPs received substantial salaries and it was expected they contribute some money to the party.
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Sources have told the Herald Sun that the donation would be as much as $30,000.
“The Liberal Democrats operate along similar lines to most other parties, with an expectation that successful candidates, who will attract substantial six-figure salaries and generous benefits upon entering parliament, contribute to fund party operations,” Ms Burke said.
It is not unheard of for political parties to strike agreements with their MPs for a slice of their taxpayer-funded salaries.
But the Liberal Democrats’ arrangement has raised eyebrows, with one current state MP saying they were “staggered by that kind of wage garnishing”.
The Herald Sun understands that Victorian Labor MPs divert 5.5 per cent of their wage to the party through a “parliamentary levy”, while the Greens receive two per cent of their MPs’ incomes.
The Liberal Party does not take a percentage cut of MPs’ wage but sitting members are expected to contribute to a “pool” that covers their retreat and other functions.
The Liberal Democrats currently have controversial Senator David Leyonhjelm in federal parliament and upper house MP Aaron Stonehouse in WA.
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