Victorian members of parliament will receive a 2.5 per cent pay rise from July, raising questions of fairness in times of pandemic-induced financial hardship.
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The pay rise decision was made by the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal, which released its annual "adjustment determination" for MPs on Friday.
Pressed on the issue by reporters on Saturday, Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley said he would donate his wage increase to charities in his electorate, as he did in 2020.
Mr Foley emphasised the pay rise decision had been made by an independent body at arm's length from government - a system set up by the government a few years ago.
"MPs have no role in that arrangement," he said.
Community and Public Sector Union state secretary Karen Batt said the pay rise to MPs should be applied to the whole public sector.
"Anything else looks hypocritical," she said.
According to documents on the tribunal's website, Premier Daniel Andrews' salary was $184,665 in 2019, rose to $203,542 in 2020 and as of this week, when he returns to work after recovering from a back injury, will rise to $208,631.
Cabinet ministers and Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien are on the same income. They earned $138,270 in 2019, which rose to $153,325 in July 2020 and this week will increase to $157,158.
In its reasons for the pay rise, the tribunal wrote that the state's economic outlook is expected to improve, for example gross state product is expected to grow by 6.5 per cent and employment rates are on the rise. It said the pay rises are in line with wage policy.
Mr O'Brien said there was no place for a pay rise given many Victorians are recovering from the state's fourth coronavirus lockdown.
"I can't think of anything more tone deaf than MP pay rises at a time like this," he tweeted.
"Small businesses are still struggling. People are losing wages and jobs.
"This is Daniel Andrews' system. His first job back must be to fix it."
If the pay rise goes through, Mr O'Brien said he would donate his increase to charity.
Australian Associated Press
