THE State Government will today move to pass legislation freezing the wages of MPs and senior bureaucrats, but local government councillors will be exempt from the laws.
The freeze would apply to the next four years and save $16 million.
The Salaries and Allowances Amendment (Debt and Deficit Remediation) Bill 2017 will be declared ‘urgent’ and debated in State Parliament this week.
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READ NOWThe pay freeze will be applied to the most senior members of government, including the Governor; all Members of Parliament including the Premier and Ministers; clerks and deputy clerks of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly; judicial office holders, including masters of the Supreme Court and magistrates; the Parliamentary Inspector of the Corruption and Crime Commission; and executive officers of Government Trading Enterprises.
All other public sector workers – including police, nurses and teachers – would be limited to a $1000 per year increase in wages.
The freeze will not impact on local government councillors and CEOs as remuneration for these positions has no impact on the State’s debt and deficit.
The salaries of councillors and CEOs are paid by each local government, not the State Government.
“We have made it clear that all sections of the community, including politicians and senior bureaucrats, have to play their part in getting the State’s finances back on track,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
“At a time when we are asking nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers, prison officers and other public sector workers to help with budget repair, it is only fair that Members of Parliament do their bit as well.
“Fixing the mess left behind by the Liberals and Nationals is a job that needs to be shared across the whole WA community.”