Big-earning public service executives are in the firing line under an election pitch to tame bureaucratic largesse.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has vowed to cap base salaries for new senior public service contracts, if the coalition wins the November state election.
The proposed cap would be set at $598,248, the same level as the chief justice of Victoria's Supreme Court.
Public service executives are being paid as much as a quarter of a million dollars over their maximum salary band, Ms Wilson said.
A Big Build executive was recently approved for a salary of $834,000 - more than $260,000 above the maximum salary band - while the head of the state's transport department is earning up to $837,100.
The number of public service executives - dubbed "fat cats" by shadow attorney-general James Newbury - has tripled since Labor came to power in 2014, Ms Wilson said.
"For too long, there has been largesse in the public service under the Labor government," the state Liberal leader said following a business breakfast on Wednesday.
"These executives are paid way beyond what is in line with community expectations."
The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal is responsible for setting salaries for public service executives and politicians.
Government departments can request to pay their executives more than their relevant band, but must consider the tribunal's advice.
The proposed salary cap would apply to new hires and any renewed or renegotiated contracts, and increase yearly in line with wages across the state.
The coalition expects it to apply to 28 roles and produce estimated savings of more than $20 million by 2036.
Ms Wilson brushed aside concerns the move could result in Victoria losing talented executives to other states.
She also said she had no plans to change politicians' pay, noting the proposed cap for public service executives was below what the Victorian premier earned each year.
Ms Allan is currently Australia's highest paid state leader, pocketing $515,972 compared to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's $622,050 pay package.
The premier suggested the coalition policy was an attack on people who deliver public services.
"The remuneration of public servants currently is and should always be set by the independent remuneration tribunal, not by Liberal politicians," Ms Allan said in Bendigo.
The coalition has frequently complained about Labor appointments to plum board and executive positions but Ms Wilson gave no commitment to take the decision out of politicians' hands.
"We'll review that when we come into government," she said.
