A union leader campaigning for higher pay for public servants says the prime minister is vastly underpaid, after reports revealed some officials earn significantly more than him.
Guardian Australia reported that 11 public servants are paid more than $1m, well above the prime minister's base wage of $622,000. One public servant received more than $1.5m.
Union leader's view on salaries
Jeff Lapidos, who leads a branch of the Australian Services Union representing Tax Office staff, has spent over a decade fighting for better pay and conditions. He has also witnessed significant job cuts.
Asked about the Future Fund salaries, Lapidos said he did not believe in common salary levels across the public service. He argued officials should instead be paid for the value of their work.
ATO pay decline
Lapidos said that after inflation, the value of ATO employees' salaries has fallen by 9.55% over the last 13 years. He called this "disgraceful exploitation by successive Coalition and Labor governments."
The ASU is campaigning for pay justice for all ATO staff. Lapidos added: "The prime minister deserves pay justice too. His office is vastly underpaid." The prime minister's salary is set by an independent remuneration tribunal.
