Beneficiaries think they are entitled to free education, and the reasoning is sound. However, given everyone else (including full time students) often have to take loans out to pay for their courses, why treat beneficiaries differently? When they get a job, they can pay the loan back, just like students. Current benefits or WFF credits often top up a low wage, so am I missing something here?
Speaking of entitlements, Sir Roger, Phil Goff and now Bill English are on the firing line for taking what they are entitled to receive. That in fact is their justification. It would make sense to the man on the street, if it weren't for the fact that politicans pass legislation to create these entitlements in the first place.
I can't think of many jobs with ongoing perks when you stop working. Who else keeps paying your expenses and treating you like you still work there, without having to actually punch the clock? That's the bit these politicians are missing.
The solution is fairly simple - pay Ministers in the same way businesses pay their staff.
No life time tax free benefits, but a regular taxable salary that ends when their employment ends. Make that taxable salary reasonable. I think MP's are actually underpaid (if you cancel the post-job benefits, and I would). I think Local Government representatives (Mayors and Councilors) are grossly underpaid. It happens that many of them are idiots, so my violin stays in the box - but if you pay peanuts...maybe you get Darwinian politics?
The same superannuation options (means tested), the same travel options as the man on the street. Welcome to your tax laws, buddy.
Given they do so much travel "for the job", then let them keep their frequent flyer points, and they can use them how they wish in their retirement.
Long service might earn long service leave, which effectively allows them to take several months off with pay (taxed) on their retirement as they wait around for the plum jobs and cushy Directorates. Politicians do work brutal hours. Give them 4 weeks annual leave per year like everyone, but a bonus 3 weeks every 3 years, and allow all leave to accumulate. Maybe it would encourage early retirement?
If they work in parliament to a ripe old age, they also have the superannuate's gold card to look forward to. Cheap bus and train fares, what more could they want? What more could they expect?
Speaking of entitlements, Sir Roger, Phil Goff and now Bill English are on the firing line for taking what they are entitled to receive. That in fact is their justification. It would make sense to the man on the street, if it weren't for the fact that politicans pass legislation to create these entitlements in the first place.
I can't think of many jobs with ongoing perks when you stop working. Who else keeps paying your expenses and treating you like you still work there, without having to actually punch the clock? That's the bit these politicians are missing.
The solution is fairly simple - pay Ministers in the same way businesses pay their staff.
No life time tax free benefits, but a regular taxable salary that ends when their employment ends. Make that taxable salary reasonable. I think MP's are actually underpaid (if you cancel the post-job benefits, and I would). I think Local Government representatives (Mayors and Councilors) are grossly underpaid. It happens that many of them are idiots, so my violin stays in the box - but if you pay peanuts...maybe you get Darwinian politics?
The same superannuation options (means tested), the same travel options as the man on the street. Welcome to your tax laws, buddy.
Given they do so much travel "for the job", then let them keep their frequent flyer points, and they can use them how they wish in their retirement.
Long service might earn long service leave, which effectively allows them to take several months off with pay (taxed) on their retirement as they wait around for the plum jobs and cushy Directorates. Politicians do work brutal hours. Give them 4 weeks annual leave per year like everyone, but a bonus 3 weeks every 3 years, and allow all leave to accumulate. Maybe it would encourage early retirement?
If they work in parliament to a ripe old age, they also have the superannuate's gold card to look forward to. Cheap bus and train fares, what more could they want? What more could they expect?
Couldn't agree any more. MP's are under paid, especially when you consider the hours, position etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso agree that MP's should not get the benefits after they have retired. Seems shocking what they actually get once they have done 3 terms. ( I think after that point you get a % of your salary for the rest of your life).
Sounds good to me Zen, anything to cut some of the fat sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteYep, good overall assessment ZenTiger.
ReplyDelete