Just in case Malcolm Turbull is wondering whether the grass is greener elsewhere, I’ve compiled a handy reckoner of effort versus reward for politicians.

This chart compares the number of parliamentary sitting days for each lower house (House of Reps in Australia, House of Commons in the UK, etc) with the current base salary for a member of that house.

The UK, Irish, NZ and South African parliaments are clearly to be avoided, but how about the US or West Australia (well any Australian State except Tasmania, really)?

091125_datapig

Sitting Day data is sourced from Horne, N, Parliamentary sitting days and hours 2008, Parliamentary Library, 19 November 2009.

Salary data is compiled from a survey of the various parliamentary websites and Parliamentary allowances, salaries of office and entitlements, Parliamentary Library, 1 October 2009.