Former Cook MP Cynthia Lui is one of 15 former politicians each set to receive a “transition allowance” of more than $42,000 after losing their seats at last month’s Queensland election. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Cynthia Lui is one of 15 former MPs across Queensland who will share more than $636,000 in taxpayer funds to help their “transition” into post-political life after losing their seats at the 26 October state election.
Under Parliamentary rules, MPs who have “retired involuntarily through loss of party pre-selection for reasons other than misconduct, or through defeat at an election” are eligible for a transition allowance equivalent of 12 weeks’ salary.
The allowance is not payable to former MPs who are able to access a pension or superannuation benefit related to their service in the Parliament immediately after losing their seat.
The Members’ Remuneration Handbook states “the allowance is considered an employment termination payment (ETP) and taxed accordingly”.
The current base salary for an MP is $183,985, meaning the former Labor MP will receive more than $42,000 after losing Cook to the Liberal National Party’s (LNP) David Kempton.
Ms Lui, who was attempting a third term as the Cook MP, received 16 more first preference votes than Mr Kempton, but could not hold on once preferences were distributed.
With Ms Lui and 14 other MPs failing to be returned to office after voters went to the polls last month, the final taxpayer bill for their transition payments will be $636,871.
All the MPs who lost their seat were Labor politicians except the Greens’ Amy MacMahon, who lost South Brisbane, and Katter’s Australian Party convert Stephen Andrew, who failed to retain the central Queensland seat of Miriani.
