Iemma gets driver, secretary for a year
Posted
Perks: Morris Iemma is entitled to a lifetime pension of more than $130,000 a year. (AAP Image: Tracey Nearmy, file photo)
Dumped New South Wales premier Morris Iemma has struck a deal with his replacement that will guarantee him an office, a secretary and use of a car for at least the next year.
Premier Nathan Rees has told a Budget Estimates hearing he wanted to come to an arrangement that was both fair and reasonable.
He says Mr Iemma will be allowed to use an office for 12 months and a car for 15 months initially and thereafter on a case-by-case basis.
"I want to stress that contrary to some press reports, the Premier didn't lobby me on these things," he said.
"Those that know Morris know that would be completely out of character for him.
"Those arrangements have been accepted by him and those benefits are very substantially less than those enjoyed by other former premiers from both sides of politics in this state."
Former premier Bob Carr has a driver, an office and an assistant at taxpayers' expense, but Mr Iemma did not serve the minimum four years to qualify for them without Mr Rees's consent.
Mr Iemma is also entitled to a lifetime pension of more than $130,000 a year.
