A step up on salary and perks

IN ACCORDANCE with tradition, Peter Slipper had to be dragged to the Speaker's chair yesterday, but the Queenslander must have had a hard time feigning reluctance. His elevation delivers him an immediate salary boost of $77,500, which will take his annual pay packet to more than $246,000.

By InvestSMART · 25 Nov 2011

By InvestSMART ·
25 Nov 2011

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Political ambitions aside, his suite in Parliament House, equipped with a dining room, kitchen and formal sitting room, will be a step up from the office in which he started this week. He will have his own courtyard, planted with azaleas, camellias, maples and rhododendrons.

His elevation will also boost his parliamentary pension. If Mr Slipper, 61, leaves parliament at the next election and lives to 80, he will be about $165,000 better off. Having served more than 20 years in Parliament, he will also be entitled to the life gold pass, which gives him 25 return business class flights a year for himself and his spouse.

In contrast, Harry Jenkins' move to the backbench sees his salary drop from $246,592 to $140,910.

His annual pension will be about $13,210 less than if he had remained speaker for two more years. And if he serves out this term on the backbench, then retires and lives until 80, he will forego about $250,000 in his pension as a result of the move.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

Salary $77,500 (from $169,092 to $246,592)

Annual pension $9688

Retirement income* $165,000

Office Speakers suite includes dining room and private courtyard

Travel Use of VIP government jets

SOURCES: REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL, FINANCE DEPARTMENT, PARLIAMENT HOUSE. *RETIREMENT INCOME ASSUMES SLIPPER RETIRES IN TWO YEARS AND LIVES TO 80.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

How much did Peter Slipper’s salary increase when he became Speaker?

When Peter Slipper was elevated to Speaker he received a salary boost of $77,500, taking his annual pay from $169,092 to $246,592, according to the article.

How does becoming Speaker affect Peter Slipper’s parliamentary pension and retirement income?

Becoming Speaker increases Slipper’s annual pension by about $9,688 and, based on the article’s assumptions (retiring in two years and living to 80), would improve his retirement income by roughly $165,000.

What workplace perks come with the Speaker’s suite in Parliament House?

The Speaker’s suite in Parliament House includes a dining room, kitchen and formal sitting room, plus a private courtyard planted with azaleas, camellias, maples and rhododendrons — all described as part of the Speaker’s accommodation perks.

What is the ‘life gold pass’ and does Peter Slipper qualify for it?

The life gold pass gives eligible former MPs 25 return business-class flights a year for themselves and a spouse. The article notes that having served more than 20 years in Parliament, Peter Slipper will be entitled to the life gold pass.

How did Harry Jenkins’ move to the backbench affect his salary and pension?

Harry Jenkins’ move to the backbench reduced his salary from $246,592 to $140,910. The article states his annual pension will be about $13,210 less than if he had remained Speaker for two more years, and that by serving out the term on the backbench and retiring he would forego about $250,000 in pension (assuming he lives to 80).

Does the Speaker role include any special travel privileges?

Yes. The article lists travel use of VIP government jets among the Speaker’s perks and also highlights the life gold pass travel entitlement for long-serving members.

What are the headline differences in pay and perks between being Speaker and being on the backbench?

The article summarises the main differences: a salary lift of $77,500 (from $169,092 to $246,592), an annual pension increase of about $9,688, a projected retirement-income gain of around $165,000 (based on the stated assumptions), plus enhanced office accommodation and travel privileges for the Speaker.

Where do the article’s figures for Speaker pay, pension and perks come from?

The article cites official sources for the numbers: the Remuneration Tribunal, the Finance Department and Parliament House.