WA’s highest-paid MPs handed 3.5 per cent pay rise, Roger Cook’s salary more than $400,000 for first time

WA’s highest paid public servants and MPs have been handed a 3.5 per cent pay rise, putting Roger Cook’s annual salary as Premier over $400,000 for the first time. In the ruling by the independent Salaries and Allowances Tribunal handed down on Monday, MPs were also handed an additional $2000 to their electorate allowance, increasing it to $90,000. An MPs base salary now sits at $179,000. Officer holders, such as Mr Cook, ministers and Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas receiving additional remuneration for their senior roles. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti now earns $346,000 a year while Mr Zempilas and Labor ministers pocket $316,000 a year. “The Tribunal have been mindful that any increase to remuneration is in line with the wages policy and the financial strategy and fiscal strategy of the government, interstate jurisdictional comparators, and community expectations,” the tribunal said in its decision. “The Tribunal continually monitors a variety of economic indicators, including Wages Price Index, Consumer Price Index, at both the State and Federal level among other factors when determining appropriate economic increases.” The pay rise is in line with Treasury’s forecast last week that wages would grow by 3.5 per cent in the 2025-26 financial year, before dipping to 3 per cent out to 2029. In a second ruling, the Tribunal handed down pay rises to senior public servants. The salaries of high-profile bosses including Police Commissioner Col Blanch, Education boss Jay Peckitt, Public Sector Commissioner Sharyn O’Neill climbed to more than $546,000 per year. Among the biggest winners under were new Transport and Major Infrastructure director general Peter Woronzow, whose annual salary grew from $487,000 to $546,000 after his department took on new responsibilities.