Out of touch much? The insane salaries ‘independent umpires’ will be earning to negotiate a treaty with First Nations people – while everyday Aussies struggle with the cost-of-living crisis

Full-time treaty negotiators with First Nations people in Victoria will earn a salary just below that paid to the state's premier, despite Australia's serious cost-of-living crisis.

The Victorian Treaty Authority panel's five “independent referees” will each earn $380,000 a year plus expenses while working full-time on the treaty process.

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price is demanding that Prime Minister Jacinta Allan explain why these people, who have yet to be named, will receive so much money.

Panelists will be appointed on Tuesday as the Victorian government cuts thousands of public sector jobs to combat growing national debt.

Work to begin treaty negotiations has been under discussion within the Victorian Chamber since 2018 and is expected to start in late 2024.

Five unnamed 'independent referees' working with the Victorian Treaty Authority panel will be awarded $380,000 each to work full-time on negotiations with First Nations Peoples

Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured center) demands that Prime Minister Jacinta Allan explain why these panelists will receive a salary just below Ms Allan's own salary of $421,190

Senator Price called the wages “incredible” and “completely ridiculous,” which will only result in further public division on the issue.

“It is unbelievable that at a time when Australian families are struggling with the costs of housing, food and fuel, the Victorian Labor Government is going to spend $2 million a year further dividing Australians,” she said. the Herald Sun.

“How can the Labor government look struggling Victorians in the eye and justify this utterly ridiculous waste of money?”

Opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesman Peter Walsh also said the Prime Minister must “tell Victorians why such generous salaries are justified.”

The money will be paid from a previously approved $65 million fund allocated by the state government to begin negotiations and is almost equal to Ms Allan's salary of $421,190.

They are five times the average salary of a registered nurse and higher than that of an elected minister or an associate justice of the Supreme Court.

A government spokesperson defended the salaries, claiming they were 'in line' with the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Act 2022.

It is understood that most panelists would be paid on a day or half day basis, but no details were given on individual pro-rata contracts.

In May, the Salvation Army found that 93 percent of the 1,700 people who use the foundation's services were struggling to meet their basic needs.

A government spokesperson claimed the salaries were 'in accordance' with the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Act 2022 (pictured, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan)

A spokesperson for the First Assembly of Victoria (pictured) said ministerial-level wages were used to 'ensure we have the best people for these critical roles'

One mother, 55, lost 40kg in less than a year because she couldn't afford to feed both her children and herself due to rising costs of groceries, fuel and other amenities.

Another mother, 29, revealed she was living off her child's leftovers, if there were any.

“I eat the leftover food from my child's meal, if there is any, or I just don't eat,” she said.

“I wait in the school parking lot from drop-off to pick-up if I run out of gas. I sold most of my own clothes to buy clothes for my children.'

More than 50 percent of respondents say yes couldn't afford health care, or at least not that three in four lived on an income below the poverty line.

Work on an independent treaty in Victoria began in 2018 under the Andrews government, which created Australia's first treaty legislation.

Salaries for the yet-to-be-appointed Treaty Authority panel have been approved by the First People's Assembly board and negotiations are expected to begin in late 2024.

A spokesperson for the First Assembly of Victoria said it was “important” to have “respected and trusted keepers of wisdom who can guide us on the shared journey to the Treaty and assist in resolving disputes.”

“We need to ensure we have the best people for these critical roles and that pay is commensurate with other roles,” they said.