Tasmanian politician Sue Hickey really does seem to have taken to heart the adage that politics is show-business for ugly people. She treats Tasmanian state politics like one of those revolting reality-tv talent shows: “Give me all of the attention and money!”
It’s no surprise that Hickey is a former pageantzilla and weather girl. Making herself the centre of attention is the constant in her public life. Her state political career has been distinguished only by her constant political bastardry: betraying the party who elected her, the people of her state, and endlessly, endlessly trying to hog the limelight.
Now she thinks she deserves a whopping pay rise.
Tasmanian House of Assembly speaker Sue Hickey believes the role should attract an increased salary.
Former House of Assembly speaker Michael Polley believes the role is well-compensated and now is not the time to talk about a pay increase […]
Mr Polley served for 19 years as the House of Assembly speaker and before that spent time as a government minister […]”I can only say that I was well-paid for what I did,” Mr Polley said.
Although I mostly disagreed with Michael Polley’s policies, he always struck me as a politician of rare integrity. I particularly remember him fronting up to local schools when his Labor party were trying to close down dozens of regional schools. That took guts, I thought.
Sue Hickey has submitted to the Tasmanian Industrial Commission that the role and that of the Legislative Council president should attract higher pay.
So, what pittance is our has-been weather girl been struggling to make ends meet on?
An issues paper released in March shows a state parliamentarian earns a basic salary of $140,185.
The lower house speaker attracts an additional $49,065 […]The speaker also gets a six-per-cent loading on the basic salary for office-related expenditure and another six-per cent for an entertainment allowance – or $8441.
The speaker is also entitled to a chauffeured car.
examiner.com.au/story/6361040/hickey-argues-for-higher-wage
So, just shy of 200 grand and a chauffeured car? That’s almost as much the Prime Minister of Britain and exactly half of what the US president receives. This deceitful, grandstanding show-pony really does have tickets on herself.
But, then, what would you expect, in a state which has more politicians per head of population than any other? But, really, Tasmania is just a slightly miniaturised version of New Zealand: over-governed by over-paid, over-inflated egos.