Australian PM Comes in Fifth on Global Pay Scale

Australian PM Comes in Fifth on Global Pay Scale
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 30, 2020. (Sean Davey/Getty Images)
AAP
By AAP
10/23/2020
Updated:
10/23/2020

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is among the highest-paid leaders in the developed world, but his pay packet is slimmer than some.

The prime minister pockets almost $550,000 a year, placing him fifth among global counterparts, AAP FactCheck has found.

In first place is Singapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who earns $2.29 million, including bonuses. The remuneration is based on the median income for Singapore’s top earners.

As of July 1, Morrison’s base salary was $211,250, plus an additional salary of $338,000, making for a gross $549,250, or $1505 a day.

Earlier this year Morrison batted away the idea of taking a temporary pay cut during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I'll just keep doing a good job, that’s my plan, and I will be accountable to Australians for that job,” he said.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who earns $441,724 per year, and her ministers took a 20 percent pay cut for six months to show solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

TOP-PAID LEADERS OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD

1. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong $2.29m

2. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam $946,938

3. US President Donald Trump $614,175

4. German Chancellor Angela Merkel $568,132

5. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison $549,250

Sydney