Plus extra for Finance Minister & Gov’t whip, after 15 years with no increase
Politician’s salaries are set to go up.
Premier & Finance Minister David Burt told the House of Assembly that Government has accepted the Salaries Review Board recommendations for a base salary increase for Member of the House of Assembly and Senators.
The Premier said, “the committee recommended additional $7,000 increase for members of the House of Assembly, in addition to supporting the cost of an increase of 18.8%… The government has also accepted the committee’s recommendation for substantially increase the Speaker of the House.”
A 9.6% increase will apply to the President of the Senate, the Vice President and the Deputy Speaker, the Premier, the Deputy Premier, the Attorney General, Ministers, Junior Ministers, the Opposition leader, and the Opposition Whip.
The 9.6% increase amounts to “less than half of the 21.1% that has been awarded to public officers over the same period”, according to the Premier.
The Minister of Finance and the Government Whip will receive additional increases. The Minister of Finance will receive $10,923 more than the 9.6% increase.
The Government Whip will receive $4,177 more than the 9.6% increase, to the same level as a Junior Minister.
“The financial impact of these adjustments is $283,343 per annum, above the board’s recommendations,” the Premier said.
Premier David Burt suggested the increase is justified, citing the fact that there has been no salary adjustment for members of the legislature for more than 15 years, and that minister salaries were reduced by 10% in 2013.
The Premier said, “I understand that discussions around salary adjustments for elected officials are often met with skepticism. However, it is essential that we collectively acknowledge that serving in public office is not easy. It is a demanding responsibility that requires personal sacrifice. Fair compensation helps to attract and retain individuals with the expertise, dedication and commitment to govern efficiently and effectively.”
The proposed salary increases would be retroactive to January 1st 2025.
Listen to the Premier’s Statement here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3RWKD8GCg
