It always amazing me (sarc) how both sides never seem to want to talk about cutting politicians salaries when they talk about the need for cutting government/taxpayer expenditure.

This is one of the few areas where the Liberals, Nationals, Labor, Greens and all other parties see eye to eye. Funny about that, hey?

I am yet to hear one decent reason why a backbencher, for example, deserves a salary of $191,000 a year. What do they do all day anyway, and why do they need four taxpayer funded staffers?

Meanwhile, nurses and teachers get about a third of that, and none of the perks that politicians get.

its the perks and after retirement perks that bother me...

and do you know... if they go to jail unless they do more than 12 months they still keep all their entitlements.

the biggest crooks in the country are pollies...or should that be ex pollies..

I agree with you not one of them ever says we get too much... not one.

john_g wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:25pm:

It always amazing me (sarc) how both sides never seem to want to talk about cutting politicians salaries when they talk about the need for cutting government/taxpayer expenditure. This is one of the few areas where the Liberals, Nationals, Labor, Greens and all other parties see eye to eye. Funny about that, hey? I am yet to hear one decent reason why a backbencher, for example, deserves a salary of $191,000 a year. What do they do all day anyway, and why do they need four taxpayer funded staffers? Meanwhile, nurses and teachers get about a third of that, and none of the perks that politicians get.

Politicians get paid a very basic wage given their position. It always concerns ' when people whine about what the people running the country get. ::)

cods wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:32pm:

its the perks and after retirement perks that bother me... and do you know... if they go to jail unless they do more than 12 months they still keep all their entitlements. the biggest crooks in the country are pollies...or should that be ex pollies.. I agree with you not one of them ever says we get too much... not one.

I agree.

They all take us for fools and nobody stands up to it.

They're all as bad as one another and I can't see any reason to vote for any of them.

skippy. wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:37pm:

john_g wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:25pm: It always amazing me (sarc) how both sides never seem to want to talk about cutting politicians salaries when they talk about the need for cutting government/taxpayer expenditure. This is one of the few areas where the Liberals, Nationals, Labor, Greens and all other parties see eye to eye. Funny about that, hey? I am yet to hear one decent reason why a backbencher, for example, deserves a salary of $191,000 a year. What do they do all day anyway, and why do they need four taxpayer funded staffers? Meanwhile, nurses and teachers get about a third of that, and none of the perks that politicians get. Politicians get paid a very basic wage given their position. It always concerns ' when people whine about what the people running the country get. ::)

Backbenchers? How is your life or mine made any better by them?

What do they do that is so important and deserve four staffers?

john_g wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:49pm:

skippy. wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:37pm: john_g wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:25pm: It always amazing me (sarc) how both sides never seem to want to talk about cutting politicians salaries when they talk about the need for cutting government/taxpayer expenditure. This is one of the few areas where the Liberals, Nationals, Labor, Greens and all other parties see eye to eye. Funny about that, hey? I am yet to hear one decent reason why a backbencher, for example, deserves a salary of $191,000 a year. What do they do all day anyway, and why do they need four taxpayer funded staffers? Meanwhile, nurses and teachers get about a third of that, and none of the perks that politicians get. Politicians get paid a very basic wage given their position. It always concerns ' when people whine about what the people running the country get. ::) Backbenchers? How is your life or mine made any better by them? What do they do that is so important and deserve four staffers?

Most of them work their butt off for their constituency, working double and triple the hours of the "average worker" . As they work such long hours making decisions about this countries future they deserve the pittance they get. I don't know what world you live in but a backbencher does not earn a huge wage, many if not most could earn more in private industry.

As for staffers, try and run an efficient office on less given the traffic that goes through a politicians office.

They are away from their families for long stretches of time. Even when not in Canberra they are away several nights attending subbranch meetings etc. They never clock off—a distressed person in his electorate might ring the MHR Christmass Even and the MP has to arrange emergency accommodation etc.

Nah, your life isn’t your own. Back in the 70s With MHR Ralph Jacobi and State rep Chris Payne I had some insight into the work they did, heard kids grumbling Dad wasn’t going to be home tonight etc.

john_g wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:47pm:

cods wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:32pm: its the perks and after retirement perks that bother me... and do you know... if they go to jail unless they do more than 12 months they still keep all their entitlements. the biggest crooks in the country are pollies...or should that be ex pollies.. I agree with you not one of them ever says we get too much... not one. I agree. They all take us for fools and nobody stands up to it. They're all as bad as one another and I can't see any reason to vote for any of them.

well you know what they say about paying peanuts...

its up to us johng.. if we keep voting for mediocrity, we cant expect them to stand up and take pay cuts..but at the same time.. to me any way their perks of office are extraordinary.... even if they do bugger all or a lousy job.. they still walk away with everything

not only that they can sit on bank boards or committees earn ing thousands..and nothing touches their perks..they lose nothing.... yet if a pensioner earns over and above a few extra dollars they take it away from their pension.. thats what bothers me..

all those ex PM.. live very high off the hog I reckon..offices.. staff cars free flights... I bet theres stuff we dont know about..we have so many Emperors...by the time you add up all the EX. PM and Premiers and GGs we are keeping they would outnumber those that are running the show... ::) ::)

cods wrote on Feb 14^th, 2014 at 9:57pm:

john_g wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:47pm: cods wrote on Feb 14th, 2014 at 9:32pm: its the perks and after retirement perks that bother me... and do you know... if they go to jail unless they do more than 12 months they still keep all their entitlements. the biggest crooks in the country are pollies...or should that be ex pollies.. I agree with you not one of them ever says we get too much... not one. I agree. They all take us for fools and nobody stands up to it. They're all as bad as one another and I can't see any reason to vote for any of them. well you know what they say about paying peanuts... its up to us johng.. if we keep voting for mediocrity, we cant expect them to stand up and take pay cuts..but at the same time.. to me any way their perks of office are extraordinary.... even if they do bugger all or a lousy job.. they still walk away with everything not only that they can sit on bank boards or committees earn ing thousands..and nothing touches their perks..they lose nothing.... yet if a pensioner earns over and above a few extra dollars they take it away from their pension.. thats what bothers me.. all those ex PM.. live very high off the hog I reckon..offices.. staff cars free flights... I bet theres stuff we dont know about..we have so many Emperors...by the time you add up all the EX. PM and Premiers and GGs we are keeping they would outnumber those that are running the show... ::) ::)

I have no problem paying more, a lot more, IF the Politicians could demonstrate that they are worth it!

You know, showing good Productivity & making proper decisions, for the long term benefits o all Australians!

That said, as it currently stands, I think THEY SHOULD ALL BE SACKED!