As many ordinary Aussies struggle to pay for the basics the Prime Minister, top public servants and judges are going into next year with huge salary increases.
The independent Remunerations Tribunal decided to give a four per cent rise to all the politicians and other office holders within its permit, effective from July 1.
It was revealed in August Anthony Albanese was pocketing an extra $22,594, increasing his salary from $546,356 at the start of 2023 to $586,950.
Now it can be revealed the increase is modest compared to the pay boost set to come into effect for several public servants.
One will make almost $1million a year – close to double of what Mr Albanese makes.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is going into 2024 with an extra $22,594 in his pay packet compared to the start of the year
Secretary of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Glyn Davis received an increase of $37,590 to bolster his salary from $939,610 to $977,200.
Other top public servants are also seeing whopping pay increases.
The secretaries of Treasury, Attorney-General’s, Defence and Social Services all got rises over $35,000, which means they start 2024 on salaries sitting comfortably above $900,000 per annum.
Also smiling all the way to the bank is the head of financial watchdog n Prudential Regulation Authority, whose $36,450 increase takes his pay from $879,480 to $911,140.
The heads of the n Public Service Commission, the n Competition and Consumer Commission, the n Securities and Investment Commission and the Solicitor-General also all got pay rises above $31,000.
This puts all of them on wages above $829,00.
Secretary of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Glyn Davis got an increase of $37, 590 to bolster his salary from $939,610 to $977,200
n Prudential Regulation Authority Chair John Losdale is taking home an extra $36,450, which boosts his pay from $879,480 to $911,140.
The High Court Chief Justice is going into next year $25,000 better off than at the start of 2023 and will take home $649,880, while the other High Court justices have got an increase of $22,690 to bring their compensation up to $589,750.
The Federal Court Chief Justice is taking home an extra $21,170 bringing his salary to $550,320 while justices on that bench are getting $19,240 more and now sit on $500,140.
Politicians other than Mr Albanese have not missed out.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has gained $17,814 to bring his pay up to $462,787 while Treasurer Jim Chalmers is pocketing an extra $16,076 bringing his total wage up to $423,281.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is pulling in $16,076 more to earn $417,637 while Cabinet ministers also got a $14,964 boost to put them at $388,290 with ordinary MPs $8,690 better off on a comparatively humble salary of $225,750.
Politicians get additional benefits on top of their ordinary pay including allowances for travel and staying in Canberra.
Former South n independent senator Rex Patrick sent out a table of the pay increases on X (formerly Twitter) commenting that those in high office were being spared the penny pinching many Aussies were having to do.
Former South n independent senator Rex Patrick is critical of the amount top public servants are being paid
‘As you look at your post Christmas credit card balance and wonder how you’re going to fare next year, particularly noting the current cost-of-living crisis, I thought I’d share a round-up of senior officials’ circumstances as they move into 2024’ he tweeted.
The tribunal’s four per cent rise sits above ‘s current inflation measure, which sees prices rising at 3.6 per cent per year.
However, Mr Patrick said he did not begrudge politicians their pay rises but was sceptical about top public servants pulling in so much more by comparison.
‘My view is that most MPs and senators earn every cent they receive,’ he tweeted.
‘I actually think their salary (for working seven days a week) is a useful baseline against which to assess other salaries though.’
In response to those who pointed out the salaries were set by an independent tribunal Mr Patrick had a ready reply.
‘Yes, it is an independent tribunal – allocating taxpayers’ money to various positions, and therefore not without accountability to those taxpayers,’ he said.