Premier Colin Barnett denies pushing for media adviser Dixie Marshall's pay rise The director of Colin Barnett's media team is Dixie Marshall, who earns $245,000 a year. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett has denied he misled the public about an $84,000 pay rise for the state government's media director. Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said the premier had personally lobbied for Dixie Marshall's pay rise to $245,000. Documents uncovered by The Sunday Times revealed the premier asked a merit panel to grant Ms Marshall and another senior adviser the increases, Mr McGowan said. "The premier implied in parliament that it was someone else's deal," he said. But Mr Barnett denied he had lobbied for the pay increases. "I wouldn't believe too much about what Mark McGowan says," he told reporters today. Mr Barnett said two senior staff in his office were promoted to a "higher classification" which carried a higher salary. "Their role and duties have changed," he said. As the responsible minister, I sign the bit of paper that goes to the merit panel for them to consider that and for them to consider what pay they should receive. In no way did I lobby that panel in any sense at all.