There are things that are popular (we nominate hot chips), and then there are things that usually don’t go down so well with many Aussies… Yesterday’s decision is in the latter category after the independent body that decides how much our Federal MPs get paid handed down an increase of 4%. That takes PM Anthony Albanese’s wage from $564,000 to $586,000. Backbenchers will now get $225,000, and Opposition leader Peter Dutton will pocket $417,000 (up from $401,000). The Remuneration Tribunal says they deserve it because pollies’ pay has been too “conservative” in the past. That’s a different approach to the one taken by newish NSW Premier Chris Minns – he decided to freeze state MPs’ pay for 2 years back in July.