A quiet change to the rules governing ministerial pay could entitle Foreign Minister Penny Wong to receive Anthony Albanese’s salary while the prime minister is away.

Ms Wong is Australia’s acting prime minister for four days this week while Mr Albanese is attending the Pacific Islands Forum.

The Remuneration Tribunal recently handed down a statement on Parliamentary Base Salaries which suddenly changed the rules around salaries for acting PM.

“Any Minister serving as Acting Prime Minister should be remunerated at the same annual salary rate as the Prime Minister,” it said.

However, government sources told News24 this recommendation has not yet been accepted or rejected by the government.

It was also claimed Ms Wong is not receiving the additional loading during this current stint as acting PM.

Despite this, the tribunal’s parliamentary offices register lists the statement as taking effect from August 25.

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson said that the potential pay bump was “pretty indulgent” given the cost of living crisis facing ordinary workers. 

“I say, a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. That’s my position always,” Mr Wilson told News24 on Wednesday.

“Whether they should be getting this bump, it seems pretty indulgent to me, but obviously a decision that’s been made. 

“I reckon a lot of Australians who are watching their own wages going back with right now are looking at this and saying, what’s the justification?”

The recommendation means that Ms Wong could earn the prime minister’s 160 per cent loading on top of her base salary.

Ms Wong earns $448,631 as leader of the government in the senate, including a $209,361 loading on top of the parliamentary base salary.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the difference between Ms Wong and Mr Albanese’s salary is $173,471 a year, translating into about $1900 extra before tax, with Ms Wong serving as acting PM from Monday to Thursday.

Mr Albanese has been at the Pacific Islands Forum while Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has travelled in the United States and Britain on defence business.

Under the existing arrangements, Ms Wong is third in line to exercise the prime minister’s powers when Mr Albanese is absent, behind Mr Marles.

If Marles is unavailable, the responsibility passes to Ms Wong, followed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher and Trade Minister Don Farrell.

Mr Albanese currently receives an annual salary of $622,102, comprising a base salary of $239,270 and a prime-ministerial loading of $382,832.

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