Hefty K13m bill for MPs

TAXPAYERS will be footing more than K13 million annually for minister’s salaries alone, if the ministerial numbers are increased to 35 as planned by the Somare Government. With the current 28 ministers, taxpayers are paying more than K10 million and the additional seven ministers will cost another K3 million a year. With the latest determination, a minister will be earning more than K10,000 a fortnight with the Prime Minister, Deputy and the Speaker receiving more than that.

However, if the Electoral Allowance which differs from electorate to electorate is added onto the fortnightly salary, the minister with the lowest allowance would be receiving K15,431.48 while the minister with the highest electoral allowance would receive K16,125.98.
The annual package for a State minister is more than K315,000 while the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Deputy Prime Minister receive more than that.

According to the documents, a minister’s salary is K83,945 and the fortnightly pay is K3228.65.
The rest come from the following allowances paid annually:
* Entertainment allowance (K4000 credit in Parliament) K9,050;
* Private vehicle allowance K42,075;
* Operating cost of private vehicle K9,510;
* Support vehicle allowance K12,375;
* Operational cost of support vehicle K6,320;
* Accommodation Allowance K62,400;
* Security allowance K6,000;
* Domestic/Gardner Allowance K3,850;
* Utilities K4,500;
* Residential phone K3,000;
* Mobile phone allowance K3,750; and
* (if retaining old vehicle, paid fortnightly K2,094
The total fortnightly salary is K10,337.48 and the K4000 Parliament credit takes it to K14,337 and if the electoral allowances take the figure to more than K15,000 per fortnight.