"When Kevin Rudd announced a salary freeze for all politicians in early 2008 - a decision greeted with bipartisan loathing around the corridors - Mr Abbott remarked that it was "all very well for politicians who have other sources of income or who have very high income from their spouses"
I also read somewhere today, can't remember where, that the freeze is only for pollies and lower ranking public servants. Those at the top will remain untouched. Can't have the decision makers unhappy can we.
there's also this.
Kevin Rudd freezes the pay of politicians
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 14/02/2008
KEVIN RUDD: We're not calling on working families to engage in some sort of freeze on their wage claims or wage outcomes. Working families are already are under financial pressure.
BRENDAN NELSON, FEDERAL OPPOSITION LEADER: Obviously the Opposition supports a freeze on MPs pay over the next year. It just sends a signal to everyday Australians that we want to make a contribution.
TONY ABBOTT, OPPOSITION FRONTBENCHER: Well, I think it's a bit of a populist stunt. It's the easiest trick in the book to slag off politicians.
BRONWYN BISHOP, OPPOSITION FRONTBENCHER: Probably the Prime Minister won't feel it. I think he's worth $20 million, isn't he?
REPORTER: His wife certainly is. Do you think...
BRONWYN BISHOP: He's a kept man!
MICHAEL JOHNSON, OPPOSITION BACKBENCHER: It's a stunt, it's a total stunt.
What a hollow, cynical gesture. It has transpired that the Remuneration Tribunal had already decided to do this a while ago.
And phoney tony wants to claim it as some sort of "look at us, sharing the burden" moment. Please, we're not that gullible.
