The " gravy train ".

Politicians from both of the major parties sat poker faced as the Renumerations Tribunal announced a 6.7% pay rise. This will increase a back benchers salary from $ 118,000 to $ 127,000 - plus the wide array of allowances that will sharply increase that figure.
Under the protocol between Federal and state, the increase will automatically flow to state politicians with state premier's salaries increasing to $ 300,000 per year.
The reaction was predictable. The major parties were quick to point out that they had no say in the salary matter as politician's pay was set by the independent Renumerations Tribunal. The Greens and the other minor parties had a cheap shot by condemning the increase, safe in the knowledge that their lack of numbers would not prevent it.
The timing of this increase is unfortunate as the government has been warning the public service that it will vigorously oppose any pay claims that exceed 2.5%. Anything higher would tend to fuel inflation and have a liklihood of inducing the Reserve bank to increase interest rates. What the government is saying is that the public service in particular and wage earners in general should bite the bullet and accept pay increases set at the inflation level for the good of the country's economy - a sacrifice that politicians reject for themselves.
The decision to increase politician's pay will not have an affect on the coming election. It is impartial that both sides of politics will eagerly grab the money and the public perception of politician's honesty and sense of fairness is at an all time low anyway.
No wonder politicians rate on a scale of honoured professions somewhere between used car salesmen and telemarketers !