I am sorry but this really gets to me.

Forums › Off topic › I am sorry but this really gets to me.

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#168475 15-Mar-2015 13:57

So this is a rant from me and is my personal opinion and I know everybody will have their own and that's fine.

I was reading this today and it was making me go grrrrrrrrr

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67387751/former-mps-travel-perk-to-get-a-boost

Why should former MP's get anything at all ??? , once you have done your time that should be it. Why should they be entitled to anything else ??. Sorry but stuff like this really riles me.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1259653 15-Mar-2015 14:07

I doubt many people like the fact this is a perk for ex MP's, should be going more to the people that have to look after them in the public service.

But as long as MP's can vote for their own pay rise etc it will keep happening, stuff like this should be done via a referendum which in my opinion perks like this will be completely lost to all serving and ex MP's that should not be costing taxpayers money for non work expenses.

Being in Parliament is a privilege not a right.

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1259658 15-Mar-2015 14:27

Being in Parliament is a job with remuneration package. Increases are decided by an independent body. Being able to be in Parliament is a right. They also work very long hours. I have no issue with their pay, I believe the PM salary is too low when compared to CEO payments in NZ

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1259665 15-Mar-2015 14:39

Personally, based on what I have seen of responsibilities and workloads etc, I think that backbenchers are materially overpaid and senior ministers are underpaid.

I pretty much agree that subsidised international air travel in perpetuity shouldn't be on the table for MPs - they should get allowances for legitimate costs incurred in the course of doing their job, and reasonable salary and super contributions as their reward for doing so.

However, in this case, I don't think any MP elected in the last 15+ years has been eligible for this. If it's correcting an anomaly for something that was legitimately part of the rem package of mostly retired former MPs then there may be a case for it. Without knowing more details than are in this story (why do they have the entitlement, are there restrictions on how it much be used, was it legitimately part of a quid pro quo for a much lower salary "back in the day" etc) it's hard to say for sure.

gehenna

8495 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259678 15-Mar-2015 15:08

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259688 15-Mar-2015 15:53

mckenndk: I doubt many people like the fact this is a perk for ex MP's, should be going more to the people that have to look after them in the public service.

But as long as MP's can vote for their own pay rise etc it will keep happening, stuff like this should be done via a referendum which in my opinion perks like this will be completely lost to all serving and ex MP's that should not be costing taxpayers money for non work expenses.

Being in Parliament is a privilege not a right.

You might have to compare with say Australia, on what they get.

I see it as a job perk. Some businessmen fly business class everywhere. Some business owners drive luxury cars under their business tax deductible. Cops get lots of perks too. McDonald's workers get free McDonald's (used to be anyway, but not BK their food is thrown into the bin). MPs get free travel.

Believe it or not, those in govt work long hours. Not sure about those in opposition. I guess outside of parliament they could choose to be how busy they are. Some MPs are corrupt and useless. If the people are wise they would vote them off. I hope.

Let me see if we can find out about our cousins' perks ...

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259690 15-Mar-2015 15:54

PS i haven't decided where I stand on this ... but yes it's a perk

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1259692 15-Mar-2015 15:58

I am talking about former MP's though , if you leave McDonald's you don't get to eat their food for free. I am talking everything they get after they leave the bench.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259708 15-Mar-2015 16:02

yeah that's true ... but i see MPs as the elite of realestate agents ... the fight their way up there and they get interesting freebies

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1259722 15-Mar-2015 16:19

Presso: I am talking about former MP's though , if you leave McDonald's you don't get to eat their food for free. I am talking everything they get after they leave the bench.

You would if it was part of the conditions of the employment agreement.

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1259723 15-Mar-2015 16:20

joker97: yeah that's true ... but i see MPs as the elite of realestate agents ... the fight their way up there and they get interesting freebies

They work long hours

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1259725 15-Mar-2015 16:29

KiwiNZ:
joker97: yeah that's true ... but i see MPs as the elite of realestate agents ... the fight their way up there and they get interesting freebies

They work long hours

Sorry but that does not wash with me, I work very long hours as well. I have no problems on what they get when they are on the bench but believe it should all end when they leave.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

jeffnz

2870 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259731 15-Mar-2015 16:59

I agree with both of you it is part of their contract but needs to be changed, successive governments have done little on this but if people kick up enough stink I bet John Key will do away with it, anything for popularity :)

Galaxy S10

Garmin Fenix 5

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1259767 15-Mar-2015 17:44

KiwiNZ:
joker97: yeah that's true ... but i see MPs as the elite of realestate agents ... the fight their way up there and they get interesting freebies

They work long hours

Yes so do doctors business people cleaners security guards truck drivers bus drivers basically anyone who works a proper job

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1259769 15-Mar-2015 17:47

joker97:
KiwiNZ:
joker97: yeah that's true ... but i see MPs as the elite of realestate agents ... the fight their way up there and they get interesting freebies

They work long hours

Yes so do doctors business people cleaners security guards truck drivers bus drivers basically anyone who works a proper job

And they get paid

Mark

1653 posts

Uber Geek

#1259795 15-Mar-2015 18:09

In case people wanted to go see who earns what in parlimentland :

http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/mpp/mps/pay/00FinanMPPSalary1/mps-salary-and-allowances

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5