I need statistics [1]
Thursday, November 16, 2006 - 08:00. Updated on Friday, July 17, 2015 - 11:39.
Editor,
I'm not entirely moved by the hysteria over the MPs payrise and backpay issue. So far I...ve seen little in the way of the numbers ie the pay level that the MPs were in and the pay level they...ve voted for themselves now, to justify the public flogging on these pages. More importantly, I...m keen to find out how their new rates compare with the rest of the public service including the sectors who were critical of the size of the pay hike but couldn...t refuse it when offered.
The issue of backdating to 2005 is used by some critics as a whip to flay the MPs from both sides of the House for failing to make sacrifices for the sake of the economy or arguments along this line. It is as if this money is wasted and we are actively encouraged to despise our representatives for their actions. Frankly I am still waiting for a better case to be put before I give in to the mob mentality.
It's obvious that the criticism was not just about the money but also the principle. On the money, I will be looking at the level of the raise relative to the Ministers..., other senior level public servants with comparable responsibilities and if necessary, the private sector. I will factor in the PRs role as also accountable to the public. They are expected to put up with being pilloried daily even by those who only vote on the noble...s roll! Our representatives are expected to wear it, and they do, as it comes with the territory. The fact that their job security, if there is such a thing in politics, is limited only to three years each time is just another perk that comes with the job.
Yes, by their own choice they are there, but do we necessarily need to make the condition of employment for our voices in parliament so unattractive that no one of sound mind is prepared to take up the challenge? We had some of them a few decades ago and we are pleased to have come a long way since.
By all means poke the borax but the last laugh may well be on us, the voters of the people...s representatives, if we will end up with a bunch of wannabe martyrs coming to parliament as outstanding examples of so called selflessness but offer very little else. Unfortunately there is no shortage of people like them and they will certainly get to represent us if we signal that we don...t want anything different. We deserve better.
On the issue of the principle, we appear to have very short memories. If the backdating was a way of restoring relativity, why should it be an issue? The alleged hypocrisy of our PRs is exceeded only by the hypocrisy of those who were silent when millions of dollars of public funds evaporated into thin air over the last two decades. How many non-reporting government agencies does it take before you have a Minister dragged over hot-coals for their non performance? And what a difference an Australian sheila can make to collecting the missing millions at customs that our PRs have warned about for years? Do I hear a call for those non-performing Ministers from the past to refund their salaries? I can go on but throw the bathwater out, by all means, but do get baby out of the tub first.
Sefita Hao'uli
sef [at] 531pi [dot] co [dot] nz