- Victorian DLP senator John Madigan gives $21,000 for school equipment
- By JESSICA MARSZALEK
- 27/04/2014 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: Moses ( 22 articles in 2014 )
Senator John Madigan says he wants to give back to those in the community “working their guts out”
A FEDERAL MP has presented $21,000 of his own money to Victorian schools in his quest to give away his $44,000 pay rise.
Victorian DLP senator John Madigan has so far bought several drills, a car hoist, building material, shearing handpieces, scaffolding and a kiln for seven regional high schools to help students who are interested in careers in agriculture or manufacturing.
Realising he could not give back the pay boost — which last year brought a backbencher’s salary to $190,000 — the former blacksmith decided to pour it into Australian-made equipment for teaching.
He said he wanted to give back to those in the community “working their guts out”.
“I worked very long hours in my own business for a fraction of what I’m getting now,” he said, adding he wanted to give young people the encouragement he received as a boy.
“We as politicians ... have a duty of care to people and we need to have empathy.”
Senator Madigan said he hoped that Treasurer Joe Hockey would consider what he personally could do for Australia, and examine perks for MHRs and senators when trawling for savings to balance next month’s Budget.
He advocated a five-year freeze on MP pay rises, which are now determined by an independent tribunal, and a requirement that all MPs fly economy class domestically.
“I just think, as leaders, you lead by example,” he said.
Mr Hockey has said everyone needs to “do the heavy lifting” on a path back to surplus, and no section of the community would be left out.
Victorian DLP senator John Madigan has so far bought several drills, a car hoist, building material, shearing handpieces, scaffolding and a kiln for seven regional high schools to help students who are interested in careers in agriculture or manufacturing.
Realising he could not give back the pay boost — which last year brought a backbencher’s salary to $190,000 — the former blacksmith decided to pour it into Australian-made equipment for teaching.
He said he wanted to give back to those in the community “working their guts out”.
“I worked very long hours in my own business for a fraction of what I’m getting now,” he said, adding he wanted to give young people the encouragement he received as a boy.
“We as politicians ... have a duty of care to people and we need to have empathy.”
Senator Madigan said he hoped that Treasurer Joe Hockey would consider what he personally could do for Australia, and examine perks for MHRs and senators when trawling for savings to balance next month’s Budget.
He advocated a five-year freeze on MP pay rises, which are now determined by an independent tribunal, and a requirement that all MPs fly economy class domestically.
“I just think, as leaders, you lead by example,” he said.
Mr Hockey has said everyone needs to “do the heavy lifting” on a path back to surplus, and no section of the community would be left out.
Source: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-dlp-senator-john-madigan-gives-21000-for-school-equipment/story-fni0fit3-1226896338966
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