Clark would do her job 'for nothing'

Helen Clark might be happy to do her job for nothing - but not all her ministers feel the same and National leader Don Brash thinks it's a bit on the nose.

The Prime Minister made her offer on Newstalk ZB yesterday. She was discussing criticism of Finance Minister Michael Cullen's call for wage restraint to curb inflation given his recent 8.1 per cent pay rise.

Dr Cullen "would never have put his hand out for it and asked for it", she said, referring to the pay rise.

"The truth is our salaries are set completely independently by the Remuneration Authority and it won't go completely without notice that most of us are paid rather less than our heads of department.

"I love the job and would probably do it for nothing.

"The salary is utterly irrelevant to me and I think Dr Cullen probably takes the same position," she added.

Asked whether he'd work for nothing, Education Minister Steve Maharey said: "I couldn't afford to do the job for nothing - I've got a mortgage.

" I wasn't left independent means, throughout my life I've had to earn a living, and I have a mortgage, so no, I have to get something for doing the job."

Dr Brash - who turned 65 last year and donates his superannuation to charity - was similarly unimpressed.

"Helen Clark and Michael Cullen might be happy to do their job for nothing but most Kiwis work because they have to put food on the table.

"National's plan to lower taxes would've put more money in all workers' pockets and given them the incentive to get ahead through their own efforts."

Late yesterday, Helen Clark said Dr Cullen had been in a "no-win" position.

If he hadn't backed Dr Bollard, the headlines would have focused on their difference of opinion.

"The reality is Dr Bollard is trying to manage inflation which has gone a little outside the band that he's given, but he's also asked to take a medium term's view ... and that is good for monetary policy."