NSW Labor leader Chris Minns slams proposal for departing MPs to get financial settlement

With the cost of living “going through the roof’, Premier Dominic Perrottet has been told it’s not the time to give departing MPs a financial boost.

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns has slammed a proposal being considered by Premier Dominic Perrottet that could give departing MPs a financial settlement.

Mr Perrottet is said to be considering the termination payment proposal, which will give state politicians a comfortable settlement whether they resign or lose their seat at an election.

The proposed payment is to help departing state MPs pay the bills while looking for another job, much like their federal counterparts who receive a $100,000 resettlement allowance.

#BREAKING Dominic Perrottet has been caught trying to give money to MPs when they leave parliament.

All while giving a pay cut to essential workers.

— Chris Minns (@ChrisMinnsMP) May 29, 2022

Mr Minns slammed the proposal on Monday, saying Mr Perrottet has been caught “trying to give money to MPs when they leave parliament”.

“All while giving a pay cut to essential workers,” he wrote in a tweet.

The state Opposition Leader told 2GB’s Ben Fordham the idea was not something that should be implemented at a state level.

“This is not a good proposal, taxpayers shouldn’t have to fork out money if they decide that their member of parliament shouldn’t be their MP anymore,” Mr Minns said.

He said NSW residents were “stretched” trying to cover the cost of living with inflation “going through the roof”.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns slammed a proposal that gives departing MPs a financial settlement. Picture Supplied

“We’re currently saying to teachers, to nurses, to paramedics, to police officers that we’re going to cap their pay, even though inflation is going through the roof,” Mr Minns said.

“It’s a terrible time to be even considering a bump to MPs who aren’t even working anymore because they’re been dispatched by their local voters.”

Mr Minns said the state government had a “history” of giving MPs “extra top-ups”.

“It’s the backdoor nature of it, which I think drives taxpayers crazy as well that it’s not upfront,” he said.

Lower house MPs earn a base salary of $169,192 and receive an electoral allowance of between $52,205 to $146,685 based on size.