Winston raking in the money
The Herald reports:
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters says he will not opt out of his taxpayer-funded winter energy payment on principle because he has built his political career on universality.
Peters, who earns around $330,000 a year in his usual parliamentary role of Deputy Prime Minister, is eligible as a pensioner for the winter energy payment for superannuitants and some beneficiaries.
The payment, of $450 a year for singles and $700 a year for couples or those with dependent children, began on Sunday as part of the Government’s Families Package.
Winston is on a very good wicket. His annual remuneration isL
- $334,734 salary
- $16,980 allowance
- $13,600 perks (as calculated by Rem Authority)
- $100,000+ parliamentary superannuation (he is on the old gold plated scheme)
- $16,035 NZ Super
- $450 winter energy payment
So all up Winston is getting over $480,000 a year from taxpayers. But that isn’t enough. He needs his extra $450.