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Australia: Hollingworth Pension Plan Under Fire

Age

May 27 2003

Ordinary Australians would be disturbed at the size of the governor-general pension, Labor MPs said today.

Labor MP Tanya Plibersek said Mr Hollingworth's pension, worth more then $180,000 a year, seemed excessive.

"I think ordinary workers who see someone get a $150,000 ($150,000) pension for a job not especially well done over a short period of time would be shocked and surprised," Ms Plibersek told reporters.

Labor frontbencher Wayne Swan said the payout would seem very large to Australians in need.

"I think Australians will be very disturbed at the double standards," Mr Swan said.

"Dr Hollingworth will receive a very healthy pension; there are many Australians who have been substantially wronged, including the victims of child sexual abuse who will not be able to retire on such a healthy income."

However Mr Swan said he did not begrudge Dr Hollingworth the pension.

"I feel sorry for the Hollingworths. I particularly feel sorry for their current situation, where Mrs Hollingworth is very ill," Mr Swan said.

Government backbencher Alan Cadman said the Labor Party should be criticising corporate high-flyers who received big payouts, not the governor-general's pension.

"I just don't think that's a matter that needs discussion," Mr Cadman said.

"Man alive, why don't they get stuck into some of the high flyers that walked away with millions - there the ones that to me, really are a problem," he said.