One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts has urged all politicians to opt out of a pay rise.
Senator Roberts has sought advice from the Department of Parliamentary Services as to how he can opt out of a rise which will tip backbench federal MPs over the $200,000 mark in a week's time.
As many of the people they represent struggle to meet rising costs of living with negligible wage growth, our politicians have been given pay increases of at least $4000.
The prime minister's salary goes from $517,504 to $527,852.
The July 1 two per cent pay rise, the first in 18 months, has been determined by the independent Remuneration Tribunal.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told 2GB radio there was "never a good time" to increase the pay of politicians.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said the process was independent, but he acknowledged it came at a time when hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers were about to get their penalty rates cut.
"It's done at arm's length to take the politics out of it," he said.
Asked whether he would accept the rise, Mr Shorten said: "You could always give the money to charity."
Senator Roberts said donating the money to charity would still cost taxpayers and the best option was no pay rise or opting out.
The increase also applies to judges and heads of government agencies.
