Premier Wheatley justifies salary increase for HoA members
During a press conference on Friday, October 3, 2025, Premier Wheatley was asked if members would forego allowances as they were now being paid a new, increased salary.
The salary increase ranged from 120 to 145 per cent, the 2024 Audit Report revealed; however, the HoA, in a September 2025 statement, defended the increase, stating that members’ salaries were among the lowest in the region at $36,000 per year.
“Part of the review was that you guys couldn’t make it with the salaries that you had, and so allowances were added to that normally to make up. Now that your salaries have exploded, the public just wants to know if you would roll back allowances?” Premier Wheatley was asked at the press conference.
Should government workers work for free?
In replying, Premier Wheatley asked, “Do you believe that ministers of government, including the Premier and the ministers, should make less than persons who they supervise? Do you believe that persons should be compensated based on the seniority of their positions, or they should be compensated on whether you think they are working or not?”
Dr Wheatley added that people should not look at the individual but rather the office and position they hold, as they are paid based on that.
“Whether you engage in any form of public service, do you not deserve to be compensated commensurately with your duties and responsibilities and the seniority of your position? If you work for government, are you going to work for free? Are you going to work for minimum wage, or do you want to be compensated based on your duties, your roles and your responsibilities?”
Legislators were making less than some public officers
Premier Wheatley also revealed that even with allowances, legislators in the House of Assembly were making “much less” than public officers who are part of Grade 12 and Grade 13.
He disclosed that the maximum salary a person can receive, excluding allowances, on the higher end of the scale is Grade 21 at 238,136.00 (includes the Deputy Governor), Grade 20 at $214,836.00 (including the Financial Secretary and Attorney General) and Grade 19 at $196,430.00 (including Permanent Secretaries).
Some members of the public have voiced their concern about the huge increase in salaries; however, the HoA, in their statement, said, “Bringing compensation in line with regional benchmarks was thus considered essential to sustaining a strong, representative legislature.”
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5 Responses to “Premier Wheatley justifies salary increase for HoA members”
No public vote, no open floors.
Just silence, nods, a stealthy climb
A quiet crime in daylight’s time.
You say it's fair, a job well done
But what gets finished? What gets won?
While clinics rot and schools collapse,
You line your seat with golden scraps.
You didn’t ask, you didn’t dare
You passed your raise like we weren’t there.
You want the crown, but not the test.
You want reward, ignore the rest.
Where’s the recall when you fail?
Why can’t we halt this privilege trail?
We fire a clerk who’s late to show
But "Politiricians" stay when outputs low?
You talk of duty, pride, and post
But serve yourself, and praise it most.
The nation gasps while you grow fat,
Then dare to ask, “What’s wrong with that?”
You speak of “office,” not the man
But we see you, not some grand plan.
You wear the mask of higher call
While scratching raises in the hall.
We struggle still. You raise the rate.
No audit clears this fraud of state.
The people bleed, you sip and grin
And call your hunger some fair win.