Government has decided for the third year running not to increase members of Parliament and Senators' salaries.

Legislation has been tabled recommending an end to the difference between salaries of part-time and full-time Ministers. Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Paula Cox is currently the only part-time Minister.

If passed, the amendment would see Minister Cox's salary increase from $100,0000 to $150,000.

Last week in the House of Assembly Premier Ewart Brown said Government felt salary increases for MPs and Senators should be deferred until the current economic climate improves.

Dr. Brown told the House an eight-person board, which reviews the salaries of politicians, recommended a pay rise in 2008 and 2009.

He said: "In full consideration of the economic climate at that time, the Government gave serious consideration to the proposed increases in salaries. The general consensus of opinion was that the implementation of the salary increases recommended for members of the Legislature should be deferred

"Thereafter members of the Legislature received the cost of living adjustment effective 1 April, 2008 and 1 April 2009."

Last week, Dr. Brown said the pay rises would be deferred again.

"The Government, in its latest review of the report, has carefully considered the recommendation and is still of the view that the main recommendations for salary increases should be deferred until such time as the current economic climate improved," he said.

The board also recommended that the distinction between the salaries earned by full-time Ministers and part-time Ministers be repealed.

"The board made several general recommendations," he told the House. "One of the board's recommendations for amendments to the act was that the act should be amended to remove any reference to "full-time" and "part-time" and that Ministers of Cabinet should be treated as a single category."

The Government agreed with the amendment and tabled the legislation last week to repeal the distinction between salaries for Ministers. It has not yet been debated.