A step up on salary and perks

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.