Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley has made good on his promise to donate his pay rise to local organisations in need.
Mr Grimley vowed in September 2019 – following the decision of the Independent Remuneration Tribunal to give a 3.5% pay rise to all Victorian MPs – that he would give the funds to organisations in his electorate who needed it.
Each month he has donated the pay-rise, roughly $500, to a community organisation, with his June funds going towards the work of Soup Kitchen Melton and their work feeding some of the most vulnerable in the community.
Mr Grimley said he was proud to help out a community in need.
“I’m humbled to give Soup Kitchen Melton a boost to help with feeding families in the region who need it,” he said.
“Soup Kitchen Melton is an amazing operation, fully run by volunteers. Congratulations to Kylie and her team on providing meals to those who need it.”
Soup Kitchen Melton operates every Saturday fortnight, producing roughly 80 meals, with Mr Grimley’s contribution the equivelant of roughly 200 meals.
Mr Grimley said it was especially important to help out during tough times such as the ongoing pandemic, and urged more politicians to consider donating their pay rise to those in need.
“COVID has provided challenges for everyone, but for those who have lost their jobs in particular. Putting food on the table has become much more difficult,” he said.
“It’s crazy to me that at a time when people are losing their jobs, politicians are still receiving pay rises. It’s just not right.”
Ewen McRae
