The NSW Government will legislate next month to limit parliamentarians’ pay increase this financial year to 3.5%.
That’s less than the 4% increase that had been awarded by the independent Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal (PRT).
The increase comes following the end (on July 1) of the two-year wage freeze the Government had imposed on MPs, senior public servants, judges, the governor and other office holders.
The Government has limited the pay rise, it says, to match the offer of a 3.5% rise given to the general public sector workforce last financial year, calling it a “responsible and fair course of action”.
The Government says that in its first three years, key workers will have received a minimum pay rise of 10.5%, far exceeding the 3.5% plus superannuation which politicians will have received over a three-year period.
“We removed the wages cap so we could deliver fair pay increases to the essential workers who keep NSW running — like teachers, paramedics, nurses, firefighters and police,” said the Premier, Chris Minns.
“While the government has settled the majority of public sector pay claims, there are still important pay disputes underway,” added the Special Minister of State, John Graham.
“We have taken the view it is the wrong moment for parliamentarian pay to increase by 4%.”
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