MPs getting a pay rise

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Finch

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#73839 23-Dec-2010 16:55

Does anybody else think this is wrong? I know they work hard and all, but there is other every day Kiwi's out there who work harder and they dont get a pay rise like this.

They earn 2-3 times the average wage in NZ. In my opinion they dont need a pay rise, but thats me.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4490590/MPs-get-pay-rise

timmmay

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#421053 23-Dec-2010 17:14

Their pay is in line with experienced professions in any industry, maybe on the high side depending on their qualifications, but on the low side for the amount of work they do. They work hard though, incredible hours, under intense pressure and public scrutiny.

There's no way in h3ll i'd do that job for $140K. For $250K i'd consider it.

tardtasticx

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#421074 23-Dec-2010 18:46

I understand they do a lot of work, but they have other perks already, as well as a high salary as it is. I see why they would deserve a pay rise annually if it wasn't a recession, but they should be thankful they have their jobs, and quite well paying jobs at that. But what will our opinions do. They rarely get us anywhere

old3eyes

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#421079 23-Dec-2010 19:08

When you consider that they have the be retirement scheme in the world and perks for life after 3 terms (9 years) then they don't deserve a pay rise. No one else I know has got one this year.. But hey it's only our money.

Regards,

Old3eyes

mattwnz

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#421085 23-Dec-2010 19:23

timmmay: Their pay is in line with experienced professions in any industry, maybe on the high side depending on their qualifications, but on the low side for the amount of work they do. They work hard though, incredible hours, under intense pressure and public scrutiny.

There's no way in h3ll i'd do that job for $140K. For $250K i'd consider it.

A lot of them certainly do earn their money. A lot of them work very hard, and have to handle a fair amount of abuse. However whether it should be increasing, when the economy is in such bad shape, I am not sure about. Our local mayor has just got a big percentage payrise too.

nate

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#421098 23-Dec-2010 20:04

This has to be a favourite of the media. Regardless of what the rise was, everyone will be critical.

NZ's current inflation is around 1.5%-2%, and the raise is 1.4%. If it was >10% then I'd be concerned, but it's not a major in the grand scheme of things.

Zeon

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#421101 23-Dec-2010 20:16

tardtasticx: I understand they do a lot of work, but they have other perks already, as well as a high salary as it is. I see why they would deserve a pay rise annually if it wasn't a recession, but they should be thankful they have their jobs, and quite well paying jobs at that. But what will our opinions do. They rarely get us anywhere

That's the problem. They should replace the perks with pay rises just like they have now, it makes it much more transparent for NZ's citizens.

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Ragnor

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#421117 23-Dec-2010 21:27

It's a bit off in a recession when when the government is borrowing $300 million a week.

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heavenlywild

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#421147 23-Dec-2010 22:05

It's always popular to bag politicians when it comes to pay. The number of hours they work every week, and all that time away from home, is definitely not something that people do just for money.

I don't have a problem with their pay rise, considering they didn't get any last year.

SteveON

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#421153 23-Dec-2010 22:13

I love this argument... Why not be a communist state? Well that never worked out but you know what I mean...

They deserve what they get paid end of story, John key is the 12th richest leader in the globe, he actually took a pay cut for the job!

So don't go on about them getting paid poorly, what does Jo Bloggs on the street think they can do better?

1) if you think you can do better, go apply.
2) if you think it's unfair... Welcome to the real world!

Finch

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#421156 23-Dec-2010 22:23

SteveON: I love this argument... Why not be a communist state? Well that never worked out but you know what I mean...

They deserve what they get paid end of story, John key is the 12th richest leader in the globe, he actually took a pay cut for the job!

So don't go on about them getting paid poorly, what does Jo Bloggs on the street think they can do better?

1) if you think you can do better, go apply.
2) if you think it's unfair... Welcome to the real world!

I dont know if they really do deserve it. Im not disputing that they do work long hours, but really what does this mean? Reading some forms, typing up policies, signing papers? There are people in NZ who work alot harder than that and get paid less.

One example that comes to mind straight away is mining. Would you rather be sitting in a nice warm office with your feet up, drinking a coffee OR down underground swinging your pickaxe all day long (Im not sure how mining is done these days, just guessing pickaxe)

Another example is something that none of us really want to do, looking after the disabled and/or elderly. I would imagine that would cause a huge mental exhaustion, and possibly some physical aswell.

timmmay

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#421170 23-Dec-2010 22:56

A good IT contractor can earn $140K in 35-45 weeks, working 40 hour weeks. A project manager can earn 20-50% more, but they work more hours and have more stress. A lawyer or doctor can earn it in 16 weeks, but with high stress and lots of responsibility.

None of those professions (other than maybe a doctor) approach the hours, hassle, stress, public scrutiny, and general crap a politician gets.

SpookyAwol

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#421225 24-Dec-2010 08:17

NZ's current inflation is around 1.5%-2%, and the raise is 1.4%. If it was >10% then I'd be concerned, but it's not a major in the grand scheme of things.

Unfortunately, this is the part that grates me the most. "Its only 1.4%" and then its compared with other state sector and national increases.

Thats fine when you talk percentages, however when your base wage is 3 times the national average, you get 3 times the actual dollar figure in your pocket. In real terms that means the gap between wages widens and compounds. So in the grand scheme of things - yes it is a major.

In basic terms, if I start on 100k and get 5% a year, I end up over 50k better off after 10 yrs.
If I start on 30k and get the same rise, I end up 15 -20k better off.

I think I would rather have their 1.4% than mine.......

None of those professions (other than maybe a doctor) approach the hours, hassle, stress, public scrutiny, and general crap a politician gets.

Maybe 20 of the current politicians - can you name more than 20 that have been in the news and take so much crap they are under stress?? There are more jobs out there that are low paid and carry more stress. Wages dont really provide a stress rating.