Tasmanian politicians will pocket a 22% pay rise after attempts to block the move were defeated.
The Tasmanian Industrial Commission ruled in June that MPs’ base salaries should increase from $140,185 to $171,527, ending a pay freeze that’s been in place since 2018.
The decision was today backed by most members of the upper house, meaning Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s salary will climb to almost $369,000 a year – up $68,000 – while ministers will take home $291,597.
But Rockliff says he “will personally not be accepting it”.
“As I have said, a pay increase of 22% is unacceptable and not in line with community expectations,” he said.
“An increase of 3% – in line with public sector workers – is appropriate.”
In the upper house, Labor and all eight crossbenchers voted to accept the commission’s recommendations, passing 10–4.
The lower house rejected the pay rise 19–14. It was opposed by all Liberal MPs, the Greens and independent David O’Byrne.
Labor supported it, alongside crossbenchers Peter George, Kristie Johnston, Carlo Di Falco and Craig Garland.
MPs and MLCs had argued the floor of parliament was not the place for them to be undertaking wage negotiations for themselves, a point Rockliff agreed with.
“I do agree that going forward we must have a system that determines MPs pay at arm’s length,” he said.
“But that does not mean we should accept this recommended increase.”
The pay rise will now come into effect automatically and be backdated to July 1.
Even with the boost, Tasmanian MPs will still be among the lowest paid in the country.
Their counterparts in New South Wales earn $172,576, while those in Western Australia receive $173,393.
