Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Premier can't pretend he is surprised by the Tasmanian Industrial Commission recommendation to award Tasmanian MPs a 10.5% pay rise. Mr Hodgman knew that in making a decision last year to send the matter to the TIC, a hefty salary increase was a near certain outcome.
In hiding on the pay rise issue for about 24 hours, no doubt while he sniffed the political breeze, the Premier now says the Liberals won't support the increase, echoing the Greens' comment that it was 'out of step with community expectations.'
It sure is, but this is no great statement on the Premier's part. It's a cynical ploy. The legislation his government had drafted and passed makes it clear that the only way the pay increase won't be awarded is if it's disallowed by both Houses of the Tasmanian Parliament.
A number of MLCs have spoken in support of the TIC process and pay increase. If the Legislative Council doesn't vote to block the increase, it will flow through to all MPs from 1 July.
The Premier's statement rejecting the salary increase will cost him and his Ministers nothing, but the situation they have collectively engineered is likely to cost Tasmanian taxpayers about $625,000 a year.