Over the years, politicians in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been receiving staggering pay increases, with no signs of slowing down.
Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister
The trend started during Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister, and within just seven years, parliamentarians would be enjoying an astounding 82% increase in their salaries alone.
It all began in November 2010 when Sir Michael Somare's government unanimously approved a whopping 52% pay rise, just before the Christmas holidays.
This unprecedented increase set a new standard for politicians' salaries in PNG.
Increase for politicians' salaries in PNG
The trend continued in November 2013, when Puka Temu, the then Public Service Minister in Peter O'Neill's government, announced another pay raise of 7%, which was backdated to January 1, 2013, and paid to every Member of Parliament just before their Christmas holiday.
But that's not all - the minister also declared a separate increase of 7.5% and 2.5% to be paid from 2014 to 2016 to every public sector worker, including the MPs.
To clarify, the 2013 increases were in three parts:
- a one-time payment of 7%,
- a 3-year increase of 7.5% of the actual gross salary, and
- a 2.5% of the average salary.
Staggering 30% Spike in MPs Pay
The increase means that every public servant, including MPs, would receive a 7.5%/2.5% increase in instalments over a 3-year period from 2014 to 2016.
If the government stays true to its promise, public servants would have seen a staggering 30% spike in their annual pay by 2016, equivalent to a 10% increment every year.
The impact of these increases is significant.
By the end of 2016, the annual salaries of PNG's politicians would have nearly doubled compared to what they earned in 2010.
PNG MPs Salaries
- Prime Minister earns over K364,000
- Speaker of Parliament earns over K296,000
- Deputy Prime Minister earns over K271,000
- Opposition Leader earns over K271,000 (same as Deputy Prime Minister)
- Government Ministers earn over K211,000
- Other MPs earn over K106,000
- Provincial Governors earn over K74,000
These amounts are exorbitant and raise questions about the morality of such increments.
The salaries earned by politicians are more than enough to live with their people and serve their constituencies.
However, it appears that they want even more to sustain a lifestyle elsewhere, away from their localities.
The trend of massive pay increases for politicians in PNG, which started during Sir Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister, continues to persist.
These unprecedented raises have resulted in exorbitant salaries for politicians, raising concerns about the moral implications of such increments.
In conclusion, as the salaries of politicians skyrocket, it's crucial to ensure that public funds are being used responsibly and in the best interest of the people of Papua New Guinea.
