Regarding TTV senior management salary jumps by 19 per cent (Cook Islands News, June 6, 2025). TTV CEO and Chairman both tried to justify those increases … well you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig!

As is now increasingly apparent throughout the entire Public Service, “top” people are being paid massive salaries, apparently justified by their individual and professional skills. But are they really that good? Why do we still have so many shortfalls, shortages, mishaps, etc, if we really are being led by TOP people?

This looks more and more like a boys club, where the top bureaucrats do what they like when they like, and how they like. Accountability? Nahhh …just redo what has just been screwed up, and get more funding to carry on … that is the reality. OPM – Other People’s Money!?!?

Just imagine paying a police officer or teacher, or nurse the sort of salary/wage that would be commensurate with their workload, daily risks, community assistance. Those three mentioned do far more for the society, and take more daily risks and face more issues than those top people in government. But they are paid a pittance in comparison.

The way things are going, hope we don’t run out of lipstick!

(Name and address supplied)