It was partly fuelled by public outrage at cases like that of Nationals senator Bill O'Chee, who walked out of parliament at the age of 33 with a life long pension of nearly $50,000.

That loophole was blocked in 2004, so now the Greens leader Bob Brown can't believe the major parties are again considering changing the super scheme in favour of themselves.

BOB BROWN: The difference in the payments to MPs is arguably unconstitutional. I pointed that out during the debate. We all should have gone to the same level of superannuation back up that people get in the rest of the Australian workforce.

GILLIAN BRADFORD: While various ministers' offices were, earlier this morning, not commenting or playing down the prospect of changing the super scheme, the Prime Minister has since come out to put on the record what he suspects might be an unpopular view.

JOHN HOWARD: I do not believe members of Parliament, particularly at a senior level, are overpaid. I think the burdens carried by senior ministers and by senior office holders in the Opposition are greater than the burdens carried by many in the private sector who are far more highly paid than what they are.

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2006/s1735373.htm

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Now theres a bloke who's set for life.  He might be a pin headed dweeb, but he's a pin headed dweeb on easy street.

culldav


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