MP travel perks: What do you think?

[mashman]

It's not eloquent, but enough is enough. I've started a petition... If they can have their Bill, i can have my petition ... TPTB are MASSIVE hypocrites and i thought I'd start a petition to see if NZ feels the same. Not sure how i'll get the word out there, but it'll be interesting to see how it goes.

I want rid of those personal travel perks for MP's past and present. That's essentially what it boils down to. And i want the perks gone without "compensation".

If you think they're worth it, fine, I don't. Pass it on please...

[Bald Eagle]

Petition signed

[puddytat]

Me too
Power to the People


YA Basta!!

[NinjaNanna]

I'd rather see the following legislation in regards to Politicians salary:

Every politician gets paid 125% of their salary prior to being elected (that's it no perks, no dodgey subsides etc), the salary is directly linked to CPI. All previous employers are required under law to re-employ any politician who has served 1 term or less.

Simple and clean.

[bogan]

signed, and might I add that it'd be interesting to email some MPs about it, you may find a few even have the moral fiber to agree! Though I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Blackshear]

Wasn't very keen on the password, but that's what spam e-mails are for I guess.

[Oscar]

The irony is that the less attractive we make the job conditions, the worse the standard of our politicians will get.

For despite the petty jealousy of the chattering classes, the pay & conditions of the average MP is actually pretty ropey compared to the private sector. There are undoubtedly a lot of good people out there who can't afford to run for political office.

At this rate, we'll have a Parliament full of Academics and Trade Unionists on one side and "Self Made Men" and retired Lawyers on the other..

No. As you were - we've already got that.

[mashman]

The irony is that the less attractive we make the job conditions, the worse the standard of our politicians will get.

For despite the petty jealousy of the chattering classes, the pay & conditions of the average MP is actually pretty ropey compared to the private sector. There are undoubtedly a lot of good people out there who can't afford to run for political office.

At this rate, we'll have a Parliament full of Academics and Trade Unionists on one side and "Self Made Men" and retired Lawyers on the other..

No. As you were - we've already got that.

As is my bent, i'll take the flip side. We may get MP's that actually do things for their people, make sensible suggestions for sensible laws and don't bend their principles to get vote... my god, MP's may actually earn the respect of their constituents and earn the votes... If they take the job because of the terms and conditions and not for the role itself, i'd rather they weren't there sat all... Better the devil that does the least damage overall... but you'll never know unless you try

Do you honestly believe that it's petty jealousy? or am i trip tapping across your bridge We're not talking about the private sector though and if the money and T'c & C's isn't that great in comparison, does that mean that they don't have the game to make it on the other side, or are there other ways that they can make public service work for them . We're talking about the public sector. That being the case, they get paid pretty damn well and have always taken care of themselves... oh that's right, they've had pay rises forced upon them , yes they've turned some down nope, i shall be cynical no longer .

So watch from the stands, that's pretty much all any individual can do, it ain't like we have a choice unless our opinions are voiced. Meh, perhaps I just enjoy the futility of it all :sobstory:

[mashman]

Wasn't very keen on the password, but that's what spam e-mails are for I guess.

Me either, but I know how to work a spam filter If I could have found another medium, then I would have, but it was there when not much else is... Noone else is gonna ask people, may as well use my mouth for something other than swallowing parliamentary BS.

[mashman]

signed, and might I add that it'd be interesting to email some MPs about it, you may find a few even have the moral fiber to agree! Though I wouldn't hold my breath.

I dismissed the idea earlier in the day... maybe it has some merit after all. If ya don't do it you'll never know eh... Don't suppose you have a spreadsheet of them hanging around do you? If not i'll find a list tomorrow and fire it off.

Cheers to all for signing... if nothing else it'll let them know that we're coming in fits and starts...

[Oscar]

As is my bent, i'll take the flip side. We may get MP's that actually do things for their people, make sensible suggestions for sensible laws and don't bend their principles to get vote... my god, MP's may actually earn the respect of their constituents and earn the votes... If they take the job because of the terms and conditions and not for the role itself, i'd rather they weren't there sat all... Better the devil that does the least damage overall... but you'll never know unless you try

Do you honestly believe that it's petty jealousy? or am i trip tapping across your bridge We're not talking about the private sector though and if the money and T'c & C's isn't that great in comparison, does that mean that they don't have the game to make it on the other side, or are there other ways that they can make public service work for them . We're talking about the public sector. That being the case, they get paid pretty damn well and have always taken care of themselves... oh that's right, they've had pay rises forced upon them , yes they've turned some down nope, i shall be cynical no longer .

So watch from the stands, that's pretty much all any individual can do, it ain't like we have a choice unless our opinions are voiced. Meh, perhaps I just enjoy the futility of it all :sobstory:

You are a study in contradictions.

You start a petition, but say there's nowt to be done except watch.
I don't think what you're doing or saying is futile, just ill thought out.

You say that they have pay rises forced on them (and the reason for that is an independent body sets their pay and conditions to prevent MP's doing it themselves), yet you criticize them for something that is patently out of their control. And your inherent criticism is that they get paid to much, but an independent body sets that pay. How would you pay them?

The comment about MP's being in the Public Sector is only valid if that's where they all come from. John Key is a good example of a person who can afford to be a politician, who can afford to turn down a pay rise and wouldn't give a rats arse about travel perks - do you want a parliament full of John Keys?

I can think of any number of people in my community that would make fantastic representatives, but simply can't afford it. And I'm not just talking about the money either - it's families and relationships that suffer.

[Oscar]

Noone else is gonna ask people,

Do you vote?

[puddytat]

Do you vote?

We have all got to vote....its the only loophole they cant close

[Urano]

sorry guys...

MPs??

[mashman]

You are a study in contradictions.

You start a petition, but say there's nowt to be done except watch.
I don't think what you're doing or saying is futile, just ill thought out.

You say that they have pay rises forced on them (and the reason for that is an independent body sets their pay and conditions to prevent MP's doing it themselves), yet you criticize them for something that is patently out of their control. And your inherent criticism is that they get paid to much, but an independent body sets that pay. How would you pay them?

The comment about MP's being in the Public Sector is only valid if that's where they all come from. John Key is a good example of a person who can afford to be a politician, who can afford to turn down a pay rise and wouldn't give a rats arse about travel perks - do you want a parliament full of John Keys?

I can think of any number of people in my community that would make fantastic representatives, but simply can't afford it. And I'm not just talking about the money either - it's families and relationships that suffer.

sarcasm doesn't translate well on the interweb does it... ill thought out is a fair summation. I don't have the time to go door to door collecting signatures. I don't have time to put into the planning. What else am I supposed to do that gets them point across and wouldn't involve more drastic measures that could hurt my family?

I'm sure they have no influence in the body that sets the pay rates (SARCASM). Where did I say they get paid too much (SERIOUS QUESTION)? I would try to pay them the average wage of every public "servant" (SERIOUS ANSWER). What makes them so special (RHETORICAL)?

I agree. So you mean only valid to them? If so, i agree. If they're taking a salary and perks at the expense of the taxpayer, then they're public servants aren't they? I want a parliament full of people who are there to do the job, not fall asleep until it's their turn and not rort because they can. So no, I would prefer a bunch of Hone's.

I fully aware of that... but that's the choice that they and their families make... and as you can see I won't sacrifice my family time for it. You could argue the same for the guy who puts in a 100 hours per week and get's the basic hourly rate. Perhaps they would have the more realistic outlook on life and would make the better MP. But as you say, it takes money OR vast amounts of time and effort to get there.