City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie set for dramatic pay rise that will push her past Victoria’s Premier

Geelong council chief executive Ali Wastie is set for a bumper payday that will see her earn more than Jacinta Allan, Peter Dutton and City of Melbourne boss Alison Leighton.

Ali Wastie joined the City of Greater Geelong as chief executive in August 2023. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Geelong council boss Ali Wastie will be paid more than Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan in the coming 12 months following a dramatic jump in the salary of City Hall’s chief executive.

Ms Wastie, who started the role in August last year, will receive $543,000 next financial year.

This will increase to $573,000 the year after, $595,000 in 2026/27, and $620,000 in 2027/28.

The figures, contained within council’s draft budget, are around 20 per cent higher – or $100,000 – than those detailed in last year’s budget.

Ms Wastie’s pay packet will see her earn more than Ms Allan ($481,190), City of Melbourne chief executive Alison Leighton ($535,000), and federal opposition leader Peter Dutton ($417,623), but less than Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ($586,950).

It is understood Ms Wastie was initially appointed on an annual salary of $450,000 after being recruited from Bass Coast Shire, where she was chief executive earning around $325,000.

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said Ms Wastie’s wage would place her in the very top bracket of Victorian council bosses.

“We remain deeply concerned about the astronomical salaries chief executives are being paid,” he said.

“Where are the public KPIs and measures to justify this exorbitant publicly paid position? Where is the accountability when we know public satisfaction has tanked?”

City Hall’s executive director of corporate services Troy Edwards said Ms Wastie’s salary was set by a Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Committee.

Mayor Trent Sullivan and Deputy Mayor Anthony Aitken are committee members, as are councillors Melissa Cadwell, Elise Wilkinson, Jim Mason and Peter Murrihy.

It is chaired by independent member.

Mr Edwards put the increase from last year’s budget down to Kaarina Phyland acting as chief executive.

“Managers and executives filling roles in an acting capacity are typically paid at a percentage of the full rate,” he said.

Ms Phyland’s appointment followed the resignation of Martin Cutter, who was paid between $450,000 and $459,999 in his final year.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan and former acting chief executive Kaarina Phyland at a council meeting last year. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Mr Edwards said the figures quoted in the draft budget include Ms Wastie’s superannuation, as well “other allowances for various expenses in case they are needed”.

That equates to a fortnightly wage of around $18,700 before tax.

“Our CEO is responsible for around 1800 staff and a total budget of more than $670m,” Mr Edwards said.

“The figure represents market value for a public sector CEO of an organisation our size and with that level of responsibility.”

The Australian Services Union is currently in negotiations with City Hall regarding a new enterprise agreement

“Workers’ wages at the City of Greater Geelong should increase in line with increases in executives’ wages,” deputy secretary Tash Wark said.

Public consultation on the 2024/25 budget closed Wednesday.

No submissions were received regarding Ms Wastie’s remuneration, a council spokesman said.

The average annual salary of employees at each of the Geelong region’s councils exceeds $100,000.

Geelong councillors each receive a $39,390 allowance, while Mr Sullivan gets $130,390 and Mr Aitken $65,195.

Originally published as City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie set for dramatic pay rise that will push her past Victoria’s Premier