Roger Cook’s getting paid another $13k a year. Here’s what he should spend it on

There are no surer things in life than death, taxes and politicians getting pay rises.

Yesterday, we found out WA Premier Roger Cook was given a $13,740 pay bump with a stroke of the pen from the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal – the independent body that determines what our hard-working politicians and top-brass public servants get paid.

Premier Roger Cook and the rest of the WA political class have been given a 3.5 per cent pay rise.Credit: Colin Murty

The tribunal saw fit to increase politicians’ pay packets by 3.5 per cent across the board, in line with what state and federal bodies decided for the minimum wage.

But a 3.5 per cent jump in the minimum wage is worlds apart in take-home pay between a minimum wage earner and a politician.

The tribunal’s decision meant the premier’s pay increased from $392,584 to $406,324 while Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti’s pay jumped from $334,466 to $346,172.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas and other cabinet ministers get paid the same amount with their remuneration increasing from $306,236 to $316,954. The base salary for an MP increased by $6000 to $179,462.

So with an extra $13.7k (less tax) to play with next financial year, what should Cook do with his newfound windfall?

WAtoday has some ideas.

Buy this 2017 Holden Barina ($13,750)

The used car market has been flying these past few years and with the state’s population soaring it’s unlikely the heat will come out of it any time soon.

That is why when you search used-car websites these days you may have been rudely shocked as to what constitutes a bargain.

This Holden Barina is a four-door hatchback in striking dark blue. With a 1.6 four-cylinder engine it’s got plenty of power to help Cook zip up the freeway from his Wellard abode and arrive in plenty of time for his many meetings.

Buy this 2010 Jaguar X-Type ($13,861)

Cook is a Wellard boy now, but he’s got Golden Triangle blood, and what would be more impressive than pulling up to the Perth Bears’ first training session than in a piece of British automotive history?

The 2.1 litre six-cylinder engine gives this car plenty of grunt, which will come in handy on track days at the Burswood Motorp– sorry… Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct.

Fuel efficiency is a bit iffy, but I’m sure he’ll get by.

Rent this Attadale Property for 4½ weeks ($3000 a week)

River views, marble floors, architecturally designed, six-car garage – this property is the most expensive rental on the market in Perth right now.

It could be Cook’s for a bit over a month – the winter parliamentary break is coming up.

It also has solar panels and a 10kw battery – an unusual offering in a rental in WA.

That would keep electricity costs down from all the vacuuming you can do in the property using its “ducted vacuum system”.

Put a sizeable down payment on this block of land in Norseman ($18,999)

A touch over a hectare of vacant land in the historic gold mining town of Norseman would allow Cook to really embed himself in the backbone industry of this state.

As the agent says, it is “726 kilometres east of Perth and 278 metres above sea level”. With the current rate of urban sprawl, there will probably be a Metronet station in Norseman soon.

Buy a jetski ($13,700)

The 2025 Sea-Doo Spark Trixx 1UP is going for $13,700 at local retailers, making it an attractive prospect for the Dad from Kwinana.

What’s more West Australian than dropping your hard-earned on some precision aquatic machinery and fanging it in the waters off the Narrows Bridge?

Buy an annual AFR subscription for him and 14 of his mates

The Australian Financial Review – owned by Nine, also the owner of this masthead – is where state premiers and treasurers go to air their grievances about the GST carve-up.

There’s no better way for Cook and Co to prepare for the next National Cabinet meeting.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.