After state MPs, Governor Hieu Van Le in line for payrise that could top $100,000

FIRST, state MPs voted to give themselves a payrise. Now, Hieu Van Le is in line for a hip pocket boost if his wage is brought into line with interstate counterparts. Find out how much he could earn here

Hieu Van Le

GOVERNOR Hieu Van Le is in line for a pay rise that could top $100,000 if it is brought in line with interstate counterparts, as a review his salary is quietly launched alongside that of state MPs.

Premier Jay Weatherill last week revealed sweeping changes to the payment regimen of state MPs, which includes axing of a range of perks in exchange for an increase to their base salary which will be determined in coming months by the independent Remuneration Tribunal.

MPs currently receive a $150,000 base wage that can be topped up by sitting on committees and a range of other perks including a $13,500 annual allowance for domestic and international travel, ‘gold pass’ for interstate rail trips and free rides on local public transport.

However, Mr Weatherill is also planning a raise for SA’s highest-ranking official by making amendments to the Constitution Act that were quietly introduced to State Parliament last week.

Under existing state law, SA’s Governor automatically receives 75 per cent of a Supreme Court judge’s wage. That currently entitles him to an annual pay packet of $310,000, in addition to perks including staff and use of the grand Government House residence on North Tce.

Mr Weatherill argues the Governor’s pay should be considered separately to that of SA’s judges remuneration, which has been frozen since 2013. SA judges in recent years fought for their pay to be linked to federal counterparts, but have missed out on rises as the Commonwealth cuts back on spending.

Mr Van Le’s salary will now be considered by the state’s Remuneration Tribunal, which is likely to examine wages paid to other heads of government around the country as a benchmark.

Australia’s Governor-General Peter Cosgrove is paid $425,000, while NSW Governor David Hurley receives $445,100 and Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner gets $427,000.

Queensland is the only other state to set its governor’s wages at a proportion of judges’.

In a written statement to Parliament, Mr Weatherill said the Governor held “the most significant office in the state” and it was an anomaly his wage was not set by the Remuneration Tribunal.

“The officers referred to the Remuneration Tribunal have the benefit of establishing appropriate salary arrangements including superannuation and salary sacrificing,” he said.

“The current legislative framework limits the ability of the Governor to enter into these arrangements, and as such, creates a disadvantage between significant office holders in the state.”

The changes pushed by Mr Weatherill include a “transitional provision” which ensures the Remuneration Tribunal cannot cut the Governor’s salary from its current level.

Meanwhile, the review of MPs’ salary and entitlements was passed with unanimous support in the Lower House last week just a day after Mr Weatherill made it public.