The NextGen Alliance Party has promised to cut political salaries, allowances and the size of Cabinet within its first 90 working days if elected, saying public office must be treated as service rather than privilege.
Party leader Apisai Caginakana Moce said the party would cap the Prime Minister’s salary at $180,000 and Cabinet ministers at $150,000.
“NextGen politics is not about privileges and entitlements, it is about service,” he said.
The party would reduce Cabinet to 15, including the prime minister, with only three or four assistant ministers.
“Cabinet will be reduced to 15, including the prime minister.”
Under its proposed package, the $15,000 parliamentary duty allowance would be removed, constituency allocations cut from $15,000 to $7000 and committee sitting fees reduced from $200 to $100 a day.
Mr Moce said the party would also remove the $100,000 medical and life cover for MPs.
“There will be no taxing a prime minister or a minister as if they were still on the backbench base,” he added.
Political overseas travel would be economy class, while per diems would be aligned with permanent secretary rates.
“Overseas travel for the prime minister, ministers, assistant ministers and MPs will be economy class only.”
The party estimates its proposed salary, allowance, travel and vehicle changes could save between $4.7million and $5.1m annually.
“The money goes to fund nursing, teaching and police posts, not to another political office.”
Mr Moce said the changes would be made immediately if the party formed government.
