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Friday, October 03, 2025

Politicians’ pension scheme needs an urgent overhaul

Time for Avalon …


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Politicians’ pension scheme needs

an urgent overhaul

Well done, SMH, for your editorial (“Corrupt? No big deal. Have a $200k pension”, September 30). Long have I bemoaned the fact that our politicians receive such generous pensions, with few restrictions or penalties for “inappropriate” conduct. Sadly, those with their snouts well and truly in the trough will make no real effort to fix the situation, and they are the only ones who can change things. There’s a challenge for the teals. Aidan Cuddington, Umina Beach
How is it even deemed acceptable that the public purse should support a person who has been found to have acted in a corrupt manner? Why is the state government not raising and pursuing this blatantly unacceptable payment? There are many who believe Saint Gladys could do no wrong, but equally there are many who believe corruption should in no way be rewarded in any way, shape or form. Would a parliamentary inquiry into this issue be too much to ask? So many questions, so little time. Bob Nicoll, Hat Head
Former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and ex-MP Daryl Maguire.
The generous parliamentary pension scheme highlighted in today’s editorial needs a complete review. Perhaps as those recipients leave, often to go to well-paid positions, the pensions do not start until they reach retirement age or retire from full-time employment. Certainly, pensions should not be paid to those serving jail sentences. Time for a rethink. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach
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