A week after the delivery of the 'budget for the bush', Premier Gladys Berejiklian has awarded each Coalition MP with a significant pay rise.
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All 65 state members have been given additional roles as ministers, parliamentary secretaries, or committee chairs. The new titles bring between $10,000 and $110,000 to top the base $165,000 salaries.
Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke has justified the pay increase by acknowledging the additional burden on a government with seven fewer Coalition members than before the election.
"The composition of the NSW Parliament following the 2019 election means that we are asking fewer Government MPs to do more," Ms Cooke said.
"All MPs who are prepared to take on these responsibilities - from every side of politics - may receive additional remuneration which is determined by the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal."
Following the March election, the Premier introduced 18 new parliamentary secretary roles with an additional $21,000 a year to each. Ms Cooke took one such role, along with a party whip role which also carries an additional payment of $21,000.
"I serve as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, which involves travel out of the electorate and significantly increased hours.
"I believe my constituents know by now that I am not in it for the money, I work my heart out for the people of the Cootamundra electorate."
Interim Opposition leader Penny Sharpe, who receives a similar wage to a high ranking government minister, admitted her disapproval.
"While workers in NSW are suffering from record low wage growth, insecure work and the loss of jobs, the arrogance of the Premier to doll out sneaky pay rises to her MPs is shameful," she said.