When Australians tune in to watch the federal Budget handed down on Tuesday night, there's one tax cut politicians probably won't be crowing about: the removal of the deficit levy.
The story of the levy begins in 2014, when then treasurer Joe Hockey slapped a 2% temporary tax increase on every dollar over $180,000 earnt.
It was called the "deficit levy" because, according to Hockey, Australia's deficit had gotten so out of control the wealthy needed to help pay down the country's massive debt pile.
Three years later and despite the debt getting worse and wage growth staying flat, the levy is set to expire.
As first reported in The West Australian earlier this year, it means that from July, Aussies on salaries north of $180K are in for some tax relief.
Among them are every single one of Australia's 226 politicians, who earn a base salary of $199,040. Government ministers, opposition frontbenchers and office holders are paid extra amounts per year, meaning senior politicians are left as HUGE winners from the deficit levy expiring.
BuzzFeed News has calculated how much each senior government politician stands to gain using salary figures from the independent Remuneration Tribunal from July 1.
Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's salary is $517,500. With the deficit levy removed he'll take home an extra $6,740 per year or $129 per week.
Deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce's salary is $408,032. With the deficit levy removed he'll take home an extra $4,560 per year or $88 per week.
Treasurer Scott Morrison's salary is $373,200. Without the deficit levy, Morrison will take home an extra $3,864 per year or $74 per week.
Attorney general George Brandis is on the same coin and will receive the same tax break.
Leader of the House of Representatives Christopher Pyne scores $348,320 per year. Without the pesky deficit levy, Pyne will get an extra $3,366 next year or $65 per week.
Communications minister Mitch Fifield is looking at the same sweet deal.
Cabinet ministers Julie Bishop, Peter Dutton and Simon Birmingham are all on a yearly salary of $343,344. It means that without the deficit levy they'll have an extra $3,267 a year in their pockets.
Fellow cabinet ministers Nigel Scullion, Michaelia Cash, Steve Ciobo, Kelly O'Dwyer, Mathias Cormann, Fiona Nash, Darren Chester, Marise Payne, Greg Hunt, Arthur Sinodinos, Matt Canavan, Christian Porter and Josh Frydenberg, are all in line for the extra $63 per week.
Those ministers not in cabinet, such as Alan Tudge, Michael Keenan and Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, receive a salary of $313,488 and are set for a $2,670 per year tax cut.
You can include in that group Michael McCormack, Scott Ryan, Paul Fletcher, Dan Tehan and Ken Wyatt, who are pocketing a handy $51 extra per week from July 1.
Assistant ministers Karen Andrews, James McGrath and Alex Hawke are on a salary of $248,800, and will get a $1,376 per year tax cut.
Don't forget Angus Taylor, Anne Ruston, Michael Sukkar, Keith Pitt, Luke Hartsuyker, David Gillespie, Craig Laundy, Zed Seselja and Jane Prentice who will also get the extra $26 per week.
Labor told BuzzFeed News it would want keep the 2% deficit levy if in government. Regardless, opposition leader Bill Shorten is taking home an extra $72/week on his salary of $366,224/year from July.
You can bet government politicians won't be mentioning these personal savings when the Budget is handed down tomorrow night. At least someone's going to win right?
