Peter Slipper (Fisher, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

There is no issue that is more contentious in our community than the remuneration of elected members of parliament. Over the years, as was indicated by the honourable member for Tangney, we as elected representatives have removed ourselves from the decision-making process. This means that our remuneration is determined by the independent umpire, who is able to take into account relevant matters on what is an appropriate level of remuneration.

The Prime Minister has announced a freeze on politicians’ salaries for a period of 12 months or thereabouts. The opposition is certainly not opposing this particular action by the government. I do, however, believe that it is dangerous when politicians start to involve themselves in the setting of their own salaries because it, therefore, becomes a precedent and next time the Remuneration Tribunal decides to increase remuneration for elected members it becomes extraordinarily difficult to say, ‘We have no part in this particular process.’

The figures I have seen, however, indicate that this action by the Prime Minister and the government is tokenistic at best. The amount of money that will be saved for the Australian community is only $1½ million or thereabouts.

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