The figures do not include all their perks.

I am 71 and get no pension as my wife makes too much money in her job.

Politicians keep telling us that paying us an aged pension isn’t sustainable.

If a pension isn’t an entitlement then neither is the politicians’.

The annual wages for the 150 seats in the Parliament add up to $41,694,311 per year. That’s just the federal politicians, no one else.

Then when they retire they are paid a lifetime salary the same as their last working year.

After retiring, the “average” pollie’s life expectancy would be 20 years, at a reasonable and fair estimate.

So for a 20-year “lifetime” payment (excluding wages paid while a Parliamentarian) totals more than $833 million.

So where do you think the cuts should be made? It is too obvious.

So what can you do? Push for a maximum two year post-retirement payment (give them time to get a real job).

This rort has been going on for too long and needs to stop.

As Dr Kerwin quotes, “Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.”

Just out of interest four years ago John Howard over a 30-month period was costing taxpayers $2,143,147.34 and Bob Hawke $1,112,497.98. This can’t go on!

— SUMNER BERG,

Beechworth