ACT politicians could be in line for their second big pay hike in two years, as an independent panel begins a review of the salaries and loadings paid to Legislative Assembly members and senior public servants.
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Awarded a six per cent increase in April last year, the ACT Remuneration Tribunal could deliver a further six per cent rise to politicians, bringing their base salary up by $8000 to about $140,700 a year.
The move would bring territory politicians' pay in line with the average amount paid to elected members in other Australian jurisdictions and see Chief Minister Andrew Barr receive about $295,500, up from his current salary of $278,828.
Tribunal chair Anne Cahill Lambert has written to all assembly members about the review, with a decision due in March or April.
Currently assembly members are paid less than federal MPs and Senators, and politicians in all other jurisdictions except for Tasmania. Brisbane City councillors and senior executive officers in the ACT public service are paid more than the current base pay rate.
A six per cent increase would see Deputy Chief Minister Simon Corbell receive about $253,300 and Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson receive about $239,200.
With loading benefits added, salaries for government ministers would also increase to about $239,200.
By way of comparison, federal MPs and Senators receive a base rate of pay of $195,130. Federal cabinet ministers receive $336,599 and the Prime Minister receives $507,338 per year.
The decision to increase the size of the assembly to 25 members from the 2016 election would mean a base salary bill of about $3.5 million each year with the possible increase. The figure doesn't include loadings for ministers, committee chairs and others.
The current base salary bill is about $2.25 million.
Other positions set to be considered as part of the routine review include the territory's chief bureaucrat, the Head of Service, government directors-general and directorate executives.
Pay for full-time statutory office holders could also increase, including the auditor-general, electoral commissioner, human rights Commissioner, public advocate, victims of crime commissioner and domestic violence project coordinator.
Pay for the chief executives of the Planning and Land Authority, Land Development Agency and Legal Aid Commission will also be reviewed.
The tribunal has no planned increase in mind for the positions.
Currently ACT public servants at executive level receive between $139,404 for level 1.1, and $331,744 for level 3.12.
Politicians' pay did not increase in 2013 and last year's report addresses concerns from some in the community that members are already well payed for their work, derided as "roads, rates and rubbish".
The tribunal said it must balance views about pay with the territory's ability to continue to attract and retain good quality politicians, who manage the traditional responsibilities of local councils as well as education, health, law and order and workplace safety.
It noted the unique nature of the assembly and the increasingly complex work of members.
The April 2014 increases followed the first comprehensive review of members' pay and entitlements since self-government. In considering its decision, the tribunal receives briefings on the territory economy and considers submissions from the public and office holders.
Last year's decision also saw the introduction of a resettlement allowance for politicians who lose office or retire of two weeks' salary per year of service, capped at twelve weeks' salary.
Members also received a new communication allowance of $15,000 per year, replacing existing office allowances.
