By Doddy Morris.
There has been a huge salary increase for the Deputy Leader of Opposition, Opposition Whip and the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of Parliamentary Standing Committees.
This Order was made by Prime Minister (PM) Charlot Salwai, in exercise of the powers conferred to him by paragraph 3(1)(a) of the Official Salaries Act [CAP 168], with the prior approval of the Council of Ministers (COM).
This Order was made on the 27th of March, 2024 and is effective on the same date.
Part 1 of the Official Salaries (Amendment) Order No. 52 of 2024, of the Schedule – Office of the Leader of the Opposition deletes (VT)”3,968,600″, corresponding to “Deputy Leader of Opposition”, and substitutes it with (VT)”5,000,400.”
This means the Deputy Leader of the Opposition’s salary will increase from VT3,968,600 to an impressive VT5,000,400, representing a substantial 26% increase.
Part 1 of the Schedule – Other Parliamentary Roles deletes (VT)”2,585,300″, corresponding to “Opposition Whip”, and substitutes it with (VT)”5,000,400,” meaning the Opposition Whip will now have a 93% increase on his salary.
The salary revisions extend beyond the Office of the Opposition. The Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of Parliamentary Standing Committees will now receive VT5,000,400, marking an eye-opening 127% increase from their previous salary, which is VT2,202,300.
The Public Relations Officer of the Prime Minister’s Office was contacted for comments, but all efforts were unsuccessful.
Opposition Leader explains increase to salaries of Deputy Opposition Leader and Opposition Whip
But Leader of Opposition and a Member of Parliament (MP) for Port Vila, Ishmael Kalsakau, informed the Vanuatu Daily Post that the increase came about because the Government wants all the positions on the Opposition side to have a salary increase with the same amount as the Deputy Leader and the Leader of Government Business.
Mr. Kalsakau explained that this issue was brought up last year. Since the salaries of other positions on the Government side hadn’t changed for a long time, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition’s salary was increased to match theirs and balance. This was done to keep things fair between the Opposition and the Government.
“Currently, the Members of Parliament other than a Minister, Prime Minister and the Leader of Opposition all have the same salary,” he said. “It does not really equate with the responsibility each of them has.”
Mr. Kalsakau mentioned these as reasons he wants the Government to delay the Referendum. He believes the public should know both sides before voting next month and suggests the Government include this in their ‘Yes’ campaign.
“In the past, MPswere never satisfied, so when something is done about it, your government will change,” he said. “During my term as Prime Minister, I reduced it in Parliament, which is why I was removed.” In 2023, there was a motion against the Leader of the Opposition to increase MPs’ salaries again, as MPs thought he couldn’t stop them from receiving a high salary. The Leader of Opposition also mentioned uncertainty about whether passing the referendum would bring stability among MPs.
Source: dailypost.vu
