By Mitchell Clarke
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale and Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing will join Premier Daniel Andrews in donating their pay rise to Covid-19 charities.
The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal mandated a pay rise for all MPs however in light of the coronavirus pandemic, all government members will donate the uplift in their take home pay from 1 July 2020 until 30 June 2021.
“Many people in the community I serve are doing it really tough right now and I am extremely lucky to have a pay packet coming each week so it’s only right to donate not just the pay increase but go all out and further support local independent businesses that have had to adjust to the restriction rules and are still able to trade,” Ms Crugnale said.
“I think it’s really important that everyone makes a contribution to help people struggling to make ends meet or to access services or support during the pandemic, and I think politicians also need to show our support in every way we can, including through financial donations,” Ms Shing added.
While it’s understood each government personnel is able to choose a charity of their choice to support, both local MPs have vowed to support their respective areas during the unprecedented time.
“As a family we have ramped up our take away meals, we order boxes of goodies from little grocery shops across Bass, paint and materials from the smaller hardware retailers just to name a few,” Ms Crugnale said.
“This is a very distressing and turbulent time, we have to look out for those that are struggling, isolated, out of work and we will come through this, it will take time, we have to be kind and show our generosity of spirit and community as we have done so many times before.”
Ms Shing told the Gazette she was “really glad” that all MPs were donating the increase and hoped that Victorian Liberal and National MPs would follow suit.
“I intend to donate to as many local organisations and groups as I can, to support their work to lessen the social, economic, health and wellbeing impacts of Covid-19, and to keep people and communities connected,” she said.
While the donations would be welcomed by the community, Gembrook Liberal MP Brad Battin said there shouldn’t be a pay rise for any MP amidst a global pandemic.
“It is beyond belief that Daniel Andrews is using spin to give himself and his colleagues a pay rise when the rest of Victoria is hurting,” Mr Battin said.
“There is never a right time to give Members of Parliament a pay rise, but there is a wrong time, and the wrong time is now.
“I call on the Labor Party in Victoria to support the Federal Government and other State Government’s in freezing any politicians pay rises at this time.”
