Bligh MP gets extra $7583 a year for assaulting staff ...

... and getting speeding tickets.

A very odd state of affairs in Qld politics where allegedly assaulting two members of your staff and getting speeding fines in your government vehicle gets you a seat on the 'Travelsafe' committee and an extra $7543 per year in your pocket.

Excerpt from the Courier Mail:

5 October 2007

Ms Bligh yesterday refused to sack besieged Labor MP Pat Purcell from a parliamentary road safety panel, despite his driving record being the worst in Cabinet during the past year.

Mr Purcell's recent promotion to the Travelsafe Committee came after he resigned as emergency services minister for allegedly hitting two staff and only weeks after being caught speeding for a second time in his government car.

He now pockets an extra $7583 a year for providing his thoughts on road safety.

Ms Bligh yesterday admitted the speeding offences were an "undesirable" human error, but insisted Mr Purcell could still make a valuable contribution.

See - MP Purcell hits staff, gets speeding fines and gets a pay rise.

With pay rises like that, it won't be surprising to see more Bligh MPs hitting staff and speeding through red lights ...