Labor party and union figures have attempted to contrast the prime minister’s pay packet with stagnant wage growth for low-income earners, claiming Scott Morrison’s salary has swelled from $140,000 to $550,000 over a decade.
What do experts say about this claim:
- Mostly True. Mr Morrison earned $140,910 until March 2012, although this had increased to $231,250 by May 2012. He now receives $549,250 as prime minister.
- Graeme Orr, a professor in the law of politics from The University of Queensland, said that politicians' salaries are set by the Remuneration Tribunal, an independent statutory body established by the Whitlam government in 1973.
- The claim is largely accurate but includes minor errors or problems.
The figures are broadly accurate. Between July 2011 and March 2012, Mr Morrison earned $140,910, although by May 2012 – a decade ago to the month of the claim – this had increased to $231,250 following a large pay rise for federal politicians and the introduction of extra pay for shadow ministers.
The claim followed the publication of a on May 12 that said: “Mr Morrison’s annual salary has jumped from $140,000, when he was a backbencher, to $550,000, as prime minister, in the last decade alone”.
Australian Council of Trade Unions leader to the story along with a comment reading:
The Prime Minister’s pay has gone from $140,000 to $550,000 over the last decade. A huge increase. Yet he wants people on $40,000 to go backwards.
and at least two of the party’s candidates (see posts and ) made similar claims on social media.
Federal politicians’ salaries consist of two components. All MPs and senators are paid a base salary, which at the time of writing is (page 2).
Additionally, MPs and senators who hold specified positions – including ministers, shadow ministers and committee chairs – are paid a supplementary ‘‘, which is calculated as a proportion of the base salary and rises with the seniority of the role.
Prime ministers are valued at , while cabinet ministers are . , the leader is paid an additional 85 per cent while shadow ministers receive an extra 25 per cent of the base salary (pages 9-10).
AAP FactCheck calculated changes in the value of Mr Morrison’s salary during his time in parliament using (table 2), and the loading he received on top of the base salary for his various positions.
Mr Morrison began his parliamentary career in 2007 as a backbencher earning a base salary of $127,060. Multiple increases in the basic parliamentary pay took his salary to $140,910 by July 2011.
AAP FactCheck Source: APH Scott Morrison member profile; APH member salary data; Remumeration Tribunal additional salary levels
In December 2011, the Remuneration Tribunal determined all MPs and senators would in the base salary from March 2012 in exchange for cuts to other entitlements such as the .
The tribunal also introduced the pay loading for shadow ministers . Mr Morrison was then , meaning the combined changes lifted his salary 64 per cent to $231,250.
After the coalition in September 2013, Mr Morrison became minister for immigration and border protection. This boosted Mr Morrison's total salary to $336,599, including the 72.5 per cent loading for cabinet ministers.
Mr Morrison's salary increased further after he was appointed as and then .
At the time of writing, Mr Morrison earns $549,250 as prime minister, which consists of his $211,250 base parliamentary salary plus the 160 per cent loading.
, a professor in the law of politics from The University of Queensland, told AAP FactCheck in an email that politicians' salaries by the , an independent statutory body established by the in 1973.
"The Remuneration Tribunal has a narrow job - setting salaries for elite public officers, with no concern for livability or effects on business and the broader economy," he said, adding that politicians would only be able to increase their own pay if they passed new laws that overturned the tribunal's salary-setting powers.
In addition to their parliamentary salaries, federal politicians also receive an annual '' of at least $32,000 per year. This is paid monthly with politicians' salaries. Federal politicians are also entitled to claim for travel, communication and office expenses.
AAP FactCheck verdict
The claim that Mr Morrison's salary has risen from $140,000 to $550,000 in the past decade is broadly correct.
In early 2012, Mr Morrison earned $140,910 - although this rose to $231,250 in May of that year, a decade to the month of the claim being made. He now earns $549,250 as prime minister.
Mostly True – The claim is largely accurate but includes minor errors or problems.
* AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the . To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on , and .