I come here as often as I can whilst spending 125 hours in a work place to earn a minimal wage doing the most rewarding job possible, to read your comments. Some days I feel deflated about some comments saying that this will never happen because of blah blah blah ...... and THAT is exactly why this will only go so far. Because of what some (probably most - given we only have 174.346 signatures when we have a population of MILLIONS). I saw this comment from Charlie buried in so many comments, to which I am very thankful for, if what he posted does not boil your blood, I am sorry you aren't mad enough about the very unlevel playing field and I wish you well, however you will reap what you sow. Get MAD, get determined, WE CAN DO THIS if EVERYONE puts their signature on this. They can not avoid it IF EVERYONE supports what Charlie is saying. I started this without too much thought past just seeing how many other people felt the same way as me. Will you roll over and play dead? I thank each and everyone one of you who have signed, however you must have family, friends, workmates, etc who feel the same way. We have to stand together to INSIST / DEMAND a level playing field. ******************************************************** Charlie Griffin · Musician at Self Employed (Business) "Our politicians are also saying : “The Age of Entitlements is over”. How can our politicians rob pensioners of their income? The pay structure/perks of Australian politicians is even less sustainable. Proposals: 1. Scrap political pensions. Politicians can purchase their own retirement plan. 2. Retired politicians to participate in Centrelink. 3. Politicians to receive no salary when they’ve left office. 4. Our politicians to get an Australian Age Pension when they qualify. 7. Funds allocated to politicians' retirement funds to be returned to Consolidated Revenue. 8. Politicians no longer vote themselves a pay raise. 9. Politicians to lose their privileged health care system. 10. Politicians to equally abide by all laws to which all Australians are subject. The Australian people did not agree to provide perks to politicians. That burden was forced upon us. 12. Serving in Parliament is a privilege, not a career. 13. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators Salaries of RETIRED Prime Ministers and Politicians Office Additional salary (%) Salary as of 1 July 2015 Prime Minister 160 $ 507,338 Deputy Prime Minister 105 $ 400,016 Treasurer 87.5 $ 365,868 Leader of the Opposition 85.0 $ 360,990 House of Reps Speaker 75.0 $ 341,477 Leader of the House 75.0 $ 341,477 Minister in Cabinet 72.5 $ 336,599 Parliamentary secretary 25.0 $ 243,912 Other ministers 57.5 $ 307,329 Shadow minister 25.0 $ 243,912 Source: Remuneration Tribunal. TOTAL annual wages for the 150 seats in the Parliament were: Prime Minister $ 507,338 Deputy Prime Minister $ 400,016 Treasurer $ 365,868 Leader of the Opposition $ 360,990 House of Reps Speaker $ 341,477 Leader of the House $ 341,477 Minister in Cabinet $ 336,599 Parliamentary secretary $ 243,912 Other ministers* $ 307,329 x 71 = $ 21,820,359 Shadow ministers* $ 243,912 x 71 = $ 17,317,752 The TOTAL ANNUAL SALARIES for 150 seats = $ 41,694,311 (Yes, that’s nearly 42 MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR) (And that’s just the Federal Politicians, no one else!) Politicians are paid ‘lifetime’ salaries the same as their last working year; After retiring, the average politician's life expectancy is an additional 20 years (which is not unreasonable). This EXCLUDES all their other perks. 20 years ‘lifetime’ payment (EXCLUDING wages paid while a Parliamentarian): Prime Minister ………………………$ 507,338 X 20 = $ 10,146,760 Deputy Prime Minister ……………$ 400,016 X 20 = $ 8,000,320 Treasurer ………………………………5,868 X 20 = $ 7,317,360 House of Reps Speaker ……………$ 341,477 X 20 = $ 6,829,540 Leader of the House …………$ 341,477 X 20 = $ 6,829,540 Minister in Cabinet ……………………$ 336,599 X 20 = $ 6,731,980 Parliamentary Secretary ………………$ 243,912 X 20 = $ 4,782,240 Other ministers** $ 307,329 X 20 = $ 6,146,580 x 71 = $ 436,407,180 Shadow ministers** $ 243,912 X 20= $ 4,878,240 x 71= $ 346,355,040 Conclusions: TOTAL ‘life time’ (20 year) payments, (excluding wages paid while in parliament) is OVER EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, John Howard, Paul Keating, Malcolm Fraser, Bob Hawke, et al, ad nauseuare receiving $10 MILLION + EXTRAS, at OUR EXPENSE, after leaving Parliament. Should an elected PM serve 4 years and then decide to retire, each of the 4 years will have cost taxpayers an EXTRA 2½ million bucks per year, i.e. $2,536,690 per annum X 4 years = $ 10,146,760. A 2-year retirement payment cut-off will SAVE our Aussie bottom line $ 792,201,909 - NEARLY $ 800 MILLION. There are 150 seats in House, minus the 8 above = 142 seats, divided equally for example = 71 each for both shadow and elected ministers. 150 seats - 20-year payment of $ 833,886,220 less annual salary x 2 years of $ 83,388,622. [$ 41,694,311 x 2] ******************************************* My reply to Charlie. Holy crap, Charlie..... wow, absolutely floored. I have never even looked at the figures. I just started this a simple injustice of our system, just one of many really. I can here to read everyones comments, as I am feeling a bit deflated by the naysayers, that and the fact, that while the numbers are still going up, they aren't going up as fast as they first did and so doubts have creeped in. This isn't about you and I, this is about our country and what we are prepared to accept. This petition could be about anything however it has become obvious that people are willing to accept this behaviour as they are too busy in their own lives, or it is too hard and I just don't understand how people can not be outraged at the difference to our rules Vs their rules. It is unfair and Australians always fight for the underdog. Well, WE, the people, ARE the underdogs on this playing field. I am willing to take this ALL the way to the end, IF that is what people want. NOONE can do this on their own, it HAS to be a collective, WE have to stand up and be counted, WE have to shout from our lounge room chairs NO, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. NO MORE. *************************************************** Thank you Michelle