Publicly funded perks should be public

Stuff reports:

The Government is refusing to make public a suite of taxpayer-funded privileges for the country’s judges.

The judiciary has one of the most generous pensions in the public service, with their salaries padded by nearly 40%.

But they’re also entitled to things like chauffeurs, housing allowances, and even subsidised school uniforms.

The benefits are all laid out in what’s colloquially known as ‘the red book’ of judicial entitlements. The Sunday Star-Times asked for a copy – but the request was denied, with no explanation.

Sources have told the Star-Times that the secret perks include generous sabbaticals, and allowances for school uniforms if judges are required to move.

Many Judges take a massive pay cut when they go from being a KC to being a judge. I have no problems with perks, and as judges do get posted around the country, an allowance for new school uniforms for kids could well be justified.

But the public fund the perks, so the public should be able to know what they are. Secrecy is a bad idea.