gillard rudd want thicker caviar, page-2

KEVIN Rudd bombarded the incoming Abbott government with demands for taxpayer-funded assistance for two Brisbane offices, staff and other perks, even ringing the Prime Minister to discuss his arrangements.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal former prime minister Julia Gillard, who is believed to have secured a six-figure cash advance to write her memoirs, also requested an office in Melbourne and Adelaide and also sought an extra staffer, citing John Howard's arrangements as a precedent. Her request for a second office was denied.



MILLION DOLLAR PMS

KEVIN RUDD $200,000 pension plus estimated $300,000-a-year office and travel costs

JULIA GILLARD $200,000 pension plus estimated $300,000-a-year office and travel costs

JOHN HOWARD $250,000 pension plus $300,000 a year in office and travel costs.

PAUL KEATING $140,000-a-year office, travel, phone costs + pension

BOB HAWKE $130,000-a-year in office, travel, phone costs + pension

MALCOLM FRASER $220,000-a-year office, travel, phone + pension

GOUGH WHITLAM $125,000-a-year office, travel, phone + pension*

Source: Department of Finance documents.



When in New York, the two ex-PMs have also requested airport pick-up from the Department of Foreign Affairs and VIP treatment at international airports allowing them to skip the customs queue. Recently, this prompted a senior DFAT official to joke they should ask the ex-PMs to share a cab.

Keeping Labor's ex-PMs happy with offices, cars, pensions and free flights has proved double trouble for the incoming government. Traditionally, the new PM finalises the arrangements in consultation with their predecessors.

With taxpayer funded pensions for life worth an estimated $200,000 a year, Labor's ex-PMs will double the retirement costs of former Prime Minister John Howard who served for 11 years. Based on Mr Howard's annual office, travel and car costs of $300,000 a year, the cost of keeping two former Labor PMs is likely to cost taxpayers up to $1 million a year in pensions, travel, car and office costs.

Unable to work together in government, it has emerged the bitter Labor enemies found one thing they could agree on - some of the taxpayer-funded benefits traditionally available to ex-PMs only after they leave politics should be granted to Ms Gillard and Mr Rudd while they remained in parliament.

"Clearly, it was a cosy deal but it was the taxpayer that footed the bill,'' a senior Coalition source said.

When he quit as foreign minister in 2012, the gravy train continued with Mr Rudd securing an entitlement to more taxpayer funded travel and spousal travel than he would have secured as a normal backbencher.

Asked directly if any of her staffers would now be involved in preparing research material for her memoirs, a spokesman for Ms Gillard referred the question to departmental officials.

"Staff arrangements for Ms Gillard have been approved by Prime Minister Abbott,'' he said. "The guidelines for Ms Gillard are exactly the same as those applying to other prime ministers. Any queries should be directed to the relevant government ministers and departments."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/julia-gillard-and-kevin-rudd-demand-bigger-perks-for-former-prime-ministers/story-fni0cx12-1226766891140