Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has become the highest-paid of any Australian state or territory leader, with an annual salary of $422,562.
The Labor leader this week leap-frogged his counterparts in NSW, Queensland and South Australia in the pay stakes and is in line for another jump in mid-2020 to $441,439.
Mr Andrews' fattening salary - which rises by 11.8 per cent over two years - comes as a result of a widespread review of Victoria's parliamentary pay, set for the first time by the state's Independent Remuneration Tribunal.
The tribunal's calculations, revealed on Tuesday, boost the "basic salary" of an MP by 3.5 per cent to $182,413.
Office bearers including Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien, ministers, shadow ministers, speakers and their deputies also got a boost.
The fatter pay packets are based partly on "what happens in other Australian jurisdictions", but comes at the same time the government is offering an increase of two per cent to most public sector workers.
The tribunal stuck to the upgrades despite the "financial and fiscal strategy of Victoria, or current and project economic conditions or trends".
"It is important to note that this review is a review of the base remuneration for MPs, not simply an adjustment," tribunal chairman Warren McCann said.
"This involved going back to basics and examining the unique role of MPs and what they should be paid for their work."
Community and Public Sector Union Victorian branch secretary Karen Batt called for an urgent re-think of the salaries.
"Treasurer should convene round table with all parties to design a way forward otherwise there will rightfully be anger in workplaces about the double standards," she tweeted.
But the government distanced itself from the tribunal's determination.
"These decisions should not be made by politicians and in Victoria, we've made sure they never will again," a spokesman said.
The tribunal's pay determination took effect on Monday.
LEADERS' PAY PACKETS (as of September 16, 2019)
* Prime minister $549,250
* Victoria $422,562
* NSW $407,980
* South Australia $401,252
* Queensland $399,955
* Western Australia $355,681
* ACT $353,833
* Northern Territory $325,392
* Tasmania $318,219
* Source: Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal determination
Australian Associated Press
