Act's 32-year-old sole MP and parliamentary newcomer could be up for a salary of $226,300 and a sizeable package of funding to run his office and Act's parliamentary operations if Prime Minister John Key gives him a ministerial portfolio.
Mr Key gave his strongest indication yet this week that Mr Seymour would get a ministerial portfolio despite being a new MP, because it would give support partner Act greater resources -- "otherwise we'd have an MP pretty much on his own with an [executive assistant] and it is very difficult to manage that party-to-party relationship".
Mr Seymour is expected to get Associate Education Minister responsible for partnership schools, the official name for charter schools negotiated by Act in the last Government agreement. As a minister his salary would be $226,300. All electorate MPs receive funding from the Parliamentary Service to pay support staff, such as an executive assistant and out of Parliament support staff along with associated costs such as rent.
While Jamie Whyte will for the time being at least remain Act's leader, Mr Seymour is almost certain to become Act's leader in Parliament which will entitle him to receive $122,000 a year to pay for his party's parliamentary operations.
However, as a minister he will receive Ministerial Services funding to pay for additional staff such as a senior private secretary, press secretary and ministerial adviser and for a party leader, a chief of staff. Funding is at a level set at the discretion of the PM who is responsible for Ministerial Services.
