Lionel “Max” Hurst, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, has spoken out on the controversial issue of salary raises for members of parliament, defending the decision amid public scrutiny.

Hurst mentioned that the matter was not discussed in the last cabinet meeting but could be discussed in the briefing.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Gaston Browne had publicly stated the issue.

Hurst expressed surprise at the controversy, saying that “intelligent people” would not refuse a raise.

He stated that it is normal for parliamentarians to deserve an increase after serving for several years, just as employees in other fields expect raises over time.

Moreover, Hurst dismissed claims of unfairness by referring to historical examples where similar adjustments were made, such as when the United Progressive Party (UPP) increased allowances before introducing personal income tax, which ensured that parliamentarians’ take-home pay remained stable.

He also disputed suggestions that parliamentarians were underpaid compared to others in the public service, emphasizing that the raises were intended to correct such disparities.

Hurst addressed the issue of transparency, stating that the salary raises were included in the budgetary presentation and refuting claims of surprise or lack of prior knowledge.

He criticized what he called the “untruthfulness” of some political campaigns that misrepresented the salary increases as unexpected.

Hurst claimed that the raises were necessary to fairly reward parliamentarians for their work, although he acknowledged that some may not work as diligently as others.

He emphasized that the decision was part of an ongoing effort to rectify discrepancies and ensure fair compensation for government officials.