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The disestablishment of the Remunerations Authority should be one of the first cost-cutting exercises undertaken by this Government. This move, apart from saving millions of dollars, would incidentally remove the excuse politicians cleve to that they are obliged to accept the income packages that are defined by those in "authority" over their sense of fair play.

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It also brings to mind the deluge of golden handshakes during the Shipley-Peters shemozzle in the closing years of the 20th century. And if anything needs cutting, it's the landlord welfare scheme known as the Accomodation Supplement.

In the words of Alexei Sayle, "austerity is the idea that the worldwide GFC of 2008 was caused by Wolverhampton having too many libraries." (14 minutes 25 secs in):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0008bbc

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Perhaps as part of the replacement RMA replacement it should be possible to delist utility buildings whose renovation costs, earthquake strengthening etc would be substantially more than a brand new construction.

The PMs expense dilemma would not have arisen if MPs entitlements covered only out of pocket expenses.

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