By JONATHON HOWARD
NOOSA Greens Member Joe Shlegeris continues to ramp up his campaign efforts this week with his latest attack aimed at the mountain of wages afforded to Queensland’s MPs.
In a statement to Noosa Today, Mr Shlegeris posed the question: are Noosa and Queensland residents getting their money’s worth?
It’s a question that has been raging on the airwaves and across editorials, with calls for tightening of MP salaries.
“The cost of running Queensland’s Legislative Assembly is about $86 million per year,” Mr Shlegeris said.
“That’s the cost of paying and supporting the state’s 89 local members – close enough to $1 million each.
“I think voters in the seat of Noosa should ask whether we’re getting a million dollars worth of value from our local member,” he said.
“There are plenty of people who would be willing to have morning tea at the retirement villages and attend the opening of new boat ramps for a lot less than the local member’s parliamentary salary, plus loadings of more than $200,000 per year.
“Even worse, that $1 million per year cost does not seem to account for the accruing pension liability. After just eight years local members enjoy access to a pension scheme based on their final salary – a lavish state-guaranteed income for life.”
Speaking from his stockbroking background, Mr Shlegeris said he knows plenty of people who cost their employers more than $1 million per year.
“Such people are exquisitely qualified and have long track records of producing great results,” he said.
“More important, their big pay packets are always at risk—if they don’t perform, they’re out.”Mr Shlegeris said in the private sector, million-dollar employees are intelligent, tough, and fit to face the rigours of million-dollar responsibilities.
“You have to vote for someone and you deserve the best candidate you can get,” he said.
“You don’t want someone who will be overruled by head-office party decisions.”
Noosa Today approached Member for Noosa Glen Elmes for a statement, but Mr Elmes did not respond before the time of print.
