The base compensation for a backbencher will climb from $217,000 to $225,680 as a result of a 4% pay raise for federal lawmakers starting on Thursday. This is the greatest single increase in over ten years.
The decision was taken following a number of “conservative” pay reviews, according to the Remuneration Tribunal, the body that decides the compensation and entitlements of those holding public office.
“When determining remuneration for the broad spectrum of public offices within its jurisdiction, the tribunal’s primary focus is to provide competitive and equitable remuneration that is appropriate to the responsibilities and experience required of the roles, and that is sufficient to attract and retain people of calibre,” the tribunal said in a note accompanying its decision, which was uploaded to its website on Monday night.
“In setting remuneration, the tribunal continues to set rates below those of the private sector in recognition of the public service being provided by the officeholders.”
The decision raises Peter Dutton, the leader of the opposition, from a salary of $401,450 to $417,508 and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s salary from $564,200 to $586,768.
This excludes other allowances, many of which saw a slight boost late last week.
The increase is greater than the wage price index, which has grown by 3.6% over the last 12 months.
The ruling also applies to people who occupy other public offices, such as judges and some executive appointments whose pay raises were retroactively effective as of July 1 of this year.
