The Premier, Lara Giddings, said today she would seek to meet with Legislative Councillors individually to find agreement on a strategy to prevent a 38 per cent pay rise flowing through to politicians on July 1.

Ms Giddings used Budget Estimates today to correct misconceptions about the State Government's preferred model to tie pay rises for MPs to the broader public service.

"This approach is about breaking the nexus with Federal politicians, which has proven to be problematic, particularly in the context of the current debate," Ms Giddings said.

"It does not imply that the roles or responsibilities of politicians are the same as public servants but it does ensure fairness and equity when we are asking the public sector to accept 2 per cent wage restraint.

"Our approach retains the base level of salary that was originally determined by the Industrial Commission and does not prevent a review by the Commission in the future.

"However, I remain concerned that referring the issue to the Industrial Commission now would result in a wage determination far in excess of the 2 per cent imposed on the rest of the public service."

Ms Giddings said the assertion that the State Government had struck a deal with the CPSU to tie the salaries of politicians to the public service was absurd.

"The State Government's motivation to limit parliamentary salaries to 2 per cent, in line with the public sector wages policy, has always been based in fairness and equity.

"It is true that the CPSU and other public sector unions support this approach - for no other reason than it demonstrates that politicians are serious about wage restraint.

"Rather than resorting to conspiracy theories, it would be far better for all of us to work together to find a solution to this impasse.

"No member of Parliament wants to receive a 38 per cent pay rise on July 1, which is why I am seeking to meet with Upper House members individually to identify a way forward that we can all agree upon.

"I want to find a solution that achieves the equal objectives of preventing the flow-on from an excessive windfall gain, while also demonstrating to public servants and the wider community that we are serious about wage restraint."