Australian PM to be paid more than Obama

AUSTRALIA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to get a Aus$90,000 (US$92,000) pay rise, meaning she will earn more than US President Barack Obama, reports said on Thursday.

Just days after announcing plans to cut public spending to bring the budget back into surplus, News Limited newspapers said Gillard’s base salary will rise to Aus$473,000 after a review by the independent remuneration tribunal.

This would make her a higher earner than Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron, the reports said.

The pay hikes also affect federal MPs, with the base salary for even the most junior parliamentarian jumping from Aus$140,000 to Aus$180,000.

In exchange, politicians will lose some of their perks, the ABC reported, such as being able to fly first class for overseas study tours.

Australia’s controversial gold pass scheme, where former MPs travel for free, will also reportedly be phased out. AFP