Ministers who bail out of parliament mid-term should be hit with a 'dummy spit tax' to cover the cost of the subsequent by-elections, according to the NSW Opposition.
High profile MPs Morris Iemma, Reba Meagher and John Watkins are eligible for indexed parliamentary pensions totalling more than $120,000 every year for the rest of their lives.
But with the trio still facing another two and a half years until the end of their term, Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell is proposing a 'dummy spit tax' to prevent MPs from deserting their posts.
"Reba Meagher has spat the dummy because she has lost the perks of ministerial office. There should be a penalty if she decides to go early."
"You don't get a free bail-out of mobile phone contracts, you shouldn't get a free bail-out of contracts with your electorate to serve a four-year term."
It would mean politicians who quit early would have to surrender half of their pension for the first year, up to $70,000.
But while Premier Nathan Rees insists he understands community frustration, he says the days of hefty pay-outs are coming to an end.
"Since the last election, all of us who are new in the Parliament have a new superannuation scheme which is basically the community standard that applies to public servants."
