Will the fearful five turn down 11 months salary?

The NZ Herald reports:

president has sent a strong signal to the five people next in line for the list seat vacated by Darren Hughes to opt out and let Manurewa candidate Louisa Wall take it.

Mr Hughes' resignation yesterday opens up his seat for the next person on the Labour Party list. That is Judith Tizard, followed by Mark Burton, Mahara Okeroa, Martin Gallagher and Dave Hereora. All are former MPs did not get back into Parliament in 2008. The lacklustre line-up has long been a source of mockery from Labour's opponents.

Mockery? No. Never.

Worth remembering that it was Goff himself who asked Twyford not to stand in Mt Albert, as they were so worried about having Judith Tizard return.

Judith Tizard, a former minister, said last night that it had not occurred to her that the situation would arise.

“I've had 18 years in Parliament. I know the attractions of it and I know the problems of it, so I will take time to make a decision.”

And don't rush that decision.

She said that since leaving Parliament she had been “getting a life”, including doing volunteer work and recovering from hepatitis.

Ouch. That is a nasty illness, and does take time to get over.

Mr Little indicated Ms Tizard and the four below her should not waste too much time in making the decision. He said none was standing again this year, and it was logical for Ms Wall to take the slot.

I blogged a few days ago that this was logical for Labour. However it does rather go against the whole notion of informed voting. People voted Labour on the basis of a known party list for the 2008 – 2011 Parliament. I don't approve of what is effectively rearranging the list after the election as the Greens often do, and now Labour looks to do. Its the same principle as you should stick to the policies you announced before the election.

But can Labour get all five MPs-in-waiting to turn the job down? How much money will they be turning down if they say no?

If they return as an MP, and retire at the election, they'll actually get paid to three months after the election under s18(3)(b) of Civil List Act 1979. This means they'll get paid for 11 months. What will they get paid in those 11 months?

  1. Salary of $123,350
  2. 20% super contribution of $24,670
  3. Expenses allowance of $14,000

That's a total of $162,020 Andrew Little is asking those candidates to turn down. And they have every right under the law of the land to become an MP and get paid that money, as Labour ranked them high enough up their party list. So we await with anticipation, their decisions.

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