Latest news with #FairWorkCommission
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Pay rise a win for workers. But there's a long way to go after years of erosion
If you work in retail and you're on the award wage, there's a small but welcome bit of good news this week - your pay just went up. Retail workers employed on the award rate will see the welcome sight of an additional 3.5 per cent pay in their pay packets from July 1. For retail workers, it will bring the minimum award rate to $26.55 per hour - the largest above-inflation wage rise since 2019. It's a win for workers, a win for communities, and it's about time. Retail workers make up around 10 per cent of the Australian workforce. They're the ones running the checkouts, packing online orders, managing stockrooms and serving in stores. Many of them are young. A lot of them are women. And a lot are juggling study, parenting, or starting over in a new country. For too long, too many of our lowest-paid workers have been doing it tough. The cost of living has gone through the roof on rent, food, fuel and bills. And for years, wages at the lower end haven't kept up. The double whammy of dealing with the cost-of-living crisis while working on low wages has left a couple working full time in retail waiting 10 years to save for a 20 per cent deposit on a median-priced home in an Australian capital city. That's assuming they can even save 20 per cent of their gross income annually, of course. The Fair Work Commission's recent decision to raise wages by 3.5 per cent, while inflation sits at around 2.1 per cent, won't change cost-of-living pressures overnight it's definitely an improvement. At a time when too many of our essential workers are struggling to make ends meet, finally seeing an above-inflation boost to their pay is not just welcome, it's vital. While, of course, we would always love to see our lowest-paid workers given an even bigger pay boost - even though business lobby groups argued for significantly lower pay rises - the reality is that in the current climate, a 3.5 per cent increase is a positive outcome. It won't fix housing affordability overnight. It won't cover every bill. But it's a step in the right direction. Fair wages fuel local economies. Every extra dollar in a worker's pocket has a ripple effect, spent by that worker in the local communities and in lots of small businesses. Investing in workers pays off - not just in productivity, but in stronger, more resilient communities. The Fair Work Commission has flagged that more needs to be done to repair years of wage erosion. We agree. This rise is welcome. It's needed. But it's also the minimum. We saw how essential our retail workers are during the pandemic. The least we can do is make sure their pay keeps up with the cost of living. If you work in retail and you're on the award wage, there's a small but welcome bit of good news this week - your pay just went up. Retail workers employed on the award rate will see the welcome sight of an additional 3.5 per cent pay in their pay packets from July 1. For retail workers, it will bring the minimum award rate to $26.55 per hour - the largest above-inflation wage rise since 2019. It's a win for workers, a win for communities, and it's about time. Retail workers make up around 10 per cent of the Australian workforce. They're the ones running the checkouts, packing online orders, managing stockrooms and serving in stores. Many of them are young. A lot of them are women. And a lot are juggling study, parenting, or starting over in a new country. For too long, too many of our lowest-paid workers have been doing it tough. The cost of living has gone through the roof on rent, food, fuel and bills. And for years, wages at the lower end haven't kept up. The double whammy of dealing with the cost-of-living crisis while working on low wages has left a couple working full time in retail waiting 10 years to save for a 20 per cent deposit on a median-priced home in an Australian capital city. That's assuming they can even save 20 per cent of their gross income annually, of course. The Fair Work Commission's recent decision to raise wages by 3.5 per cent, while inflation sits at around 2.1 per cent, won't change cost-of-living pressures overnight it's definitely an improvement. At a time when too many of our essential workers are struggling to make ends meet, finally seeing an above-inflation boost to their pay is not just welcome, it's vital. While, of course, we would always love to see our lowest-paid workers given an even bigger pay boost - even though business lobby groups argued for significantly lower pay rises - the reality is that in the current climate, a 3.5 per cent increase is a positive outcome. It won't fix housing affordability overnight. It won't cover every bill. But it's a step in the right direction. Fair wages fuel local economies. Every extra dollar in a worker's pocket has a ripple effect, spent by that worker in the local communities and in lots of small businesses. Investing in workers pays off - not just in productivity, but in stronger, more resilient communities. The Fair Work Commission has flagged that more needs to be done to repair years of wage erosion. We agree. This rise is welcome. It's needed. But it's also the minimum. We saw how essential our retail workers are during the pandemic. The least we can do is make sure their pay keeps up with the cost of living. If you work in retail and you're on the award wage, there's a small but welcome bit of good news this week - your pay just went up. Retail workers employed on the award rate will see the welcome sight of an additional 3.5 per cent pay in their pay packets from July 1. For retail workers, it will bring the minimum award rate to $26.55 per hour - the largest above-inflation wage rise since 2019. It's a win for workers, a win for communities, and it's about time. Retail workers make up around 10 per cent of the Australian workforce. They're the ones running the checkouts, packing online orders, managing stockrooms and serving in stores. Many of them are young. A lot of them are women. And a lot are juggling study, parenting, or starting over in a new country. For too long, too many of our lowest-paid workers have been doing it tough. The cost of living has gone through the roof on rent, food, fuel and bills. And for years, wages at the lower end haven't kept up. The double whammy of dealing with the cost-of-living crisis while working on low wages has left a couple working full time in retail waiting 10 years to save for a 20 per cent deposit on a median-priced home in an Australian capital city. That's assuming they can even save 20 per cent of their gross income annually, of course. The Fair Work Commission's recent decision to raise wages by 3.5 per cent, while inflation sits at around 2.1 per cent, won't change cost-of-living pressures overnight it's definitely an improvement. At a time when too many of our essential workers are struggling to make ends meet, finally seeing an above-inflation boost to their pay is not just welcome, it's vital. While, of course, we would always love to see our lowest-paid workers given an even bigger pay boost - even though business lobby groups argued for significantly lower pay rises - the reality is that in the current climate, a 3.5 per cent increase is a positive outcome. It won't fix housing affordability overnight. It won't cover every bill. But it's a step in the right direction. Fair wages fuel local economies. Every extra dollar in a worker's pocket has a ripple effect, spent by that worker in the local communities and in lots of small businesses. Investing in workers pays off - not just in productivity, but in stronger, more resilient communities. The Fair Work Commission has flagged that more needs to be done to repair years of wage erosion. We agree. This rise is welcome. It's needed. But it's also the minimum. We saw how essential our retail workers are during the pandemic. The least we can do is make sure their pay keeps up with the cost of living. If you work in retail and you're on the award wage, there's a small but welcome bit of good news this week - your pay just went up. Retail workers employed on the award rate will see the welcome sight of an additional 3.5 per cent pay in their pay packets from July 1. For retail workers, it will bring the minimum award rate to $26.55 per hour - the largest above-inflation wage rise since 2019. It's a win for workers, a win for communities, and it's about time. Retail workers make up around 10 per cent of the Australian workforce. They're the ones running the checkouts, packing online orders, managing stockrooms and serving in stores. Many of them are young. A lot of them are women. And a lot are juggling study, parenting, or starting over in a new country. For too long, too many of our lowest-paid workers have been doing it tough. The cost of living has gone through the roof on rent, food, fuel and bills. And for years, wages at the lower end haven't kept up. The double whammy of dealing with the cost-of-living crisis while working on low wages has left a couple working full time in retail waiting 10 years to save for a 20 per cent deposit on a median-priced home in an Australian capital city. That's assuming they can even save 20 per cent of their gross income annually, of course. The Fair Work Commission's recent decision to raise wages by 3.5 per cent, while inflation sits at around 2.1 per cent, won't change cost-of-living pressures overnight it's definitely an improvement. At a time when too many of our essential workers are struggling to make ends meet, finally seeing an above-inflation boost to their pay is not just welcome, it's vital. While, of course, we would always love to see our lowest-paid workers given an even bigger pay boost - even though business lobby groups argued for significantly lower pay rises - the reality is that in the current climate, a 3.5 per cent increase is a positive outcome. It won't fix housing affordability overnight. It won't cover every bill. But it's a step in the right direction. Fair wages fuel local economies. Every extra dollar in a worker's pocket has a ripple effect, spent by that worker in the local communities and in lots of small businesses. Investing in workers pays off - not just in productivity, but in stronger, more resilient communities. The Fair Work Commission has flagged that more needs to be done to repair years of wage erosion. We agree. This rise is welcome. It's needed. But it's also the minimum. We saw how essential our retail workers are during the pandemic. The least we can do is make sure their pay keeps up with the cost of living.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan now Australia's second-highest paid politician after pay rise
Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although, the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. Meanwhile, the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost 5 per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In the US, President Donald Trump reportedly earns $US400,000 ($A617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting $S2.2 million ($A2.5 million) last year.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Anthony Albanese's government giving Aussies a cost of living boost today: What you need to know
Anthony Albanese 's government is promising life will get easier today as new cost-of-living help is rolled out. Minimum wage workers, new parents, tradie apprentices and families are set to be the big winners. Inflation has moderated from recent three-decade highs, but costs including rent and insurance are still increasing, with $75 quarterly electricity rebates to expire at the end of 2025. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has flagged new assistance that will kick in this week. 'The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living for Australians, with more support set to roll out a week from today,' he said. 'This is more responsible, meaningful hip-pocket help for households.' Australia's 2.9million workers on awards or the minimum wage are getting a 3.5 per cent wage rise on July 1, which is more generous than the 2.4 per cent inflation rate. The independent Fair Work Commission made the order on June 3, which will see the minimum hourly pay rise to $24.95 for a weekly, full-time wage of $948 or $49,296 a year. But the government took credit for the $1,669 annual increase for the 200,000 Australians on the minimum wage. 'The Albanese Labor Government is delivering what we said we would at last month's election, rolling out billions of dollars' worth of responsible support from 1 July,' Chalmers said. Compulsory employer superannuation is rising to 12 per cent on July 1, up from 11.5 per cent, with super also put into paid parental leave. Former prime minister Paul Keating - who conceived compulsory superannuation alongside union boss Bill Kelty - said the system had finally matured. 'Superannuation, like Medicare, is now an Australian community standard, binding the whole population as a national economic family, with each person having a place,' Mr Keating said. Paid parental leave is increasing to 24 weeks, up from 22 weeks. The annual income limits will also increase – with the individual limit increasing to $180,007 as the family limit rises to $373,094. New tradies who take up apprenticeships in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages, during the life of the apprentice. That includes $2,000 instalments at six months, a year, two years and three years. A range of family benefits are also increasing on July 1. Family Tax Benefit Part A recipients will see the maximum payment for children under 13 rise to $227.36 a fortnight. For children aged 13 or over, the rate will increase to $295.82 a fortnight. The maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part B will increase to $193.34. For families with a youngest child aged five or over, the rate will increase to $134.96 a fortnight. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek hailed the cost-of-living help. 'The Albanese Labor Government's number one priority is addressing cost-of-living pressures,' she said. Some things will be backdated to June 1, with Labor re-elected on a promise to cut university student debt by 20 per cent - or an average of $5,520 - at a cost to taxpayers of $16billion. But more income tax relief will have to wait until July 1, 2026, when the 16 per cent tax rate for workers earning $18,201 to $45,000 is reduced to 15 per cent – leading to tax relief of $268. And from 1 July 2027, the tax rate will be reduced to 14 per cent – bringing relief of $536 over two years. That means every Australian taxpayer earning above $45,000 will get an extra tax cut of $268 in 2026-27 and $536 from 2027-28. While wages and government assistance payments were going up, so too were price hikes for business registration and energy bills, which could be up to 9.7 per cent higher for some households. Increased costs for businesses and households would hit living standards and hamper productivity, said shadow treasurer Ted O'Brien.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Nice work if you can get it: premier pockets plenty
Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Ms Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Mr Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. At the same time the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost five per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Mr Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In comparison, US President Donald Trump reportedly earns US$400,000 (about AUD $617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting S$2.2 million (AUD $2.5 million) last year. AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST EARNING STATE AND TERRITORY LEADERS: * Jacinta Allan (Victoria) - $512,972 * David Crisafulli (Queensland) - $476,323 * Chris Minns (NSW) - $416,440 * Peter Malinauskas (SA) - reportedly about $450,000 * Andrew Barr (ACT) - $404,406 * Roger Cook (WA) - $406,324 * Jeremy Rockliff (Tasmania) - $368,784 * Lia Finocchiaro (NT) - $350,000 Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Ms Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Mr Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. At the same time the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost five per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Mr Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In comparison, US President Donald Trump reportedly earns US$400,000 (about AUD $617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting S$2.2 million (AUD $2.5 million) last year. AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST EARNING STATE AND TERRITORY LEADERS: * Jacinta Allan (Victoria) - $512,972 * David Crisafulli (Queensland) - $476,323 * Chris Minns (NSW) - $416,440 * Peter Malinauskas (SA) - reportedly about $450,000 * Andrew Barr (ACT) - $404,406 * Roger Cook (WA) - $406,324 * Jeremy Rockliff (Tasmania) - $368,784 * Lia Finocchiaro (NT) - $350,000 Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Ms Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Mr Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. At the same time the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost five per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Mr Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In comparison, US President Donald Trump reportedly earns US$400,000 (about AUD $617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting S$2.2 million (AUD $2.5 million) last year. AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST EARNING STATE AND TERRITORY LEADERS: * Jacinta Allan (Victoria) - $512,972 * David Crisafulli (Queensland) - $476,323 * Chris Minns (NSW) - $416,440 * Peter Malinauskas (SA) - reportedly about $450,000 * Andrew Barr (ACT) - $404,406 * Roger Cook (WA) - $406,324 * Jeremy Rockliff (Tasmania) - $368,784 * Lia Finocchiaro (NT) - $350,000 Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Ms Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Mr Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. At the same time the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost five per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Mr Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In comparison, US President Donald Trump reportedly earns US$400,000 (about AUD $617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting S$2.2 million (AUD $2.5 million) last year. AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST EARNING STATE AND TERRITORY LEADERS: * Jacinta Allan (Victoria) - $512,972 * David Crisafulli (Queensland) - $476,323 * Chris Minns (NSW) - $416,440 * Peter Malinauskas (SA) - reportedly about $450,000 * Andrew Barr (ACT) - $404,406 * Roger Cook (WA) - $406,324 * Jeremy Rockliff (Tasmania) - $368,784 * Lia Finocchiaro (NT) - $350,000
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Nice work if you can get it: premier pockets plenty
Premier Jacinta Allan is set to rake in a hefty half a million dollar salary, securing her position as Australia's second-highest paid politician. After a pay bump, the Victorian leader will pocket $512,972, trailing only Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $620,000 pay cheque. The $14,941 pay rise comes after a decision by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to increase MP salaries and allowances by three per cent on Monday. The premier's package includes an expense allowance of $64,475. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll will soon be paid $236,662, while Opposition Leader Brad Battin will collect $409,107. Backbench MPs will have a base salary of $211.972. The increase is slightly below the 3.5 per cent pay rise set to take effect for minimum wage workers from Tuesday following the Fair Work Commission's annual review. Ms Allan remains the highest paid state or territory leader, ahead of Queensland Premier David Crisafulli ($476,323) and NSW Premier Chris Minns ($416,440). Although the wage for NSW MPs could rise in the coming weeks as a two-year salary freeze comes to an end. Mr Minns could receive an additional $14,575, pushing his salary to roughly $431,015, if a proposed 3.5 per cent pay rise goes ahead. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro is the lowest paid state or territory leader. But things are looking up for Country Liberal Party boss after her base salary jumped more than $16,000 to $350,000 at the start of 2025. At the same time the base pay for NT MPs went from $166,763 to $175,000, equating to an increase of almost five per cent. The steep uptick followed politicians and public servants' wages being frozen for several years under the former NT Labor government. Tasmanian politicians are set to receive a $30,000 increase in their base salary after a determination by Tasmania's Industrial Commission. Premier Jeremy Rockliff ruled out the 22 per cent pay rise for politicians on June 9, which will see his own salary increase from $301,397 to $368,783. But the pay rise will proceed from Tuesday, as parliament was dissolved before any move to disallow it could be made. If re-elected, Mr Rockliff has pledged to overturn the increase. The pay cheques of Australian politicians compare fairly well to the rest of the world. In comparison, US President Donald Trump reportedly earns US$400,000 (about AUD $617,000). Meanwhile, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong remains the world's highest-paid government leader, reportedly collecting S$2.2 million (AUD $2.5 million) last year. AUSTRALIA'S HIGHEST EARNING STATE AND TERRITORY LEADERS: * Jacinta Allan (Victoria) - $512,972 * David Crisafulli (Queensland) - $476,323 * Chris Minns (NSW) - $416,440 * Peter Malinauskas (SA) - reportedly about $450,000 * Andrew Barr (ACT) - $404,406 * Roger Cook (WA) - $406,324 * Jeremy Rockliff (Tasmania) - $368,784 * Lia Finocchiaro (NT) - $350,000
