Joe Hockey warned against "double dipping"

FORMER treasurer Joe Hockey has been warned against "double-dipping" into his generous parliamentary pension while getting extremely will paid as a diplomat.

Mr Hockey (pictured) resigned from parliament last week and is widely tipped to become Australia's next ambassador to the US.

The independent senator for South Australia, Nick Xenophon, has said he will introduce legislation to stop former politicians who get a diplomatic post from accessing their pensions on top of their salaries.

"If the you're going to be an ambassador earning a quarter of a million dollars a year representing Australia's interests with all the benefits, why should you be able to double-dip with a parliamentary pension as well?" Mr Xenophon asked.

"It's offensive to ordinary Australians who can't access that sort of benefit. If Joe Hockey reckons the age of entitlement is over, he can lead by example."