Treasurer reveals taxpayer-funded boards could be slashed. See who’s on the boards and how much they get paid

The number of SA’s taxpayer-funded boards could be slashed in a bid to curb government spending, the Treasurer has revealed. See who’s on our boards and how much they get paid.

The number of taxpayer-funded board members faces being slashed and bodies potentially axed as the state government reviews the millions of dollars paid to senior executives.

Latest figures show South Australia’s 175 public sector boards and committees, comprising 1570 members, cost almost $10.7 million last financial year.

This compared with the 2019/2020 financial bill of $10.95 million for 1633 people to sit across 196 public sector boards, committees and panels, according to Department of Premier and Cabinet data.

New ministers, who appoint board members in various portfolios, will review their sectors after this week’s state budget as part of a wider cost-cutting of senior bureaucrats.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the board system review was timely.

“The former Labor government significantly reduced the number of boards and committees,” he said.

“The new state government will conduct a review of the amount of taxpayers’ money being spent on boards to identify whether there are opportunities to make further efficiencies.”

The South Australian Government Boards and Committees Information annual report, tabled in parliament, reveals 91 public sector boards and 44 “external” bodies, 16 of which were “mixed”. Another 24 panels were not remunerated.

The highest-paid individual position was Return to Work Corporation’s highly regarded chairman, held by former chief executive Greg McCarthy, who earned $100,000.

His board’s six members earned $55,000 for 13 meetings during 2020/21.

The highest paid was leading businesswoman Joanne Denley, known as Jo, who earned more than $150,000 for three board positions including TAFE SA’s chairwoman.

Other notable South Australians to sit on multiple public-sector boards includes former top RAH trauma surgeon Bill Griggs, who is paid more than $121,000 a year for his role on four boards including RTW.

Senior businessman Con Tragakis earned more than $100,000 as chairman of Renewal SA and Housing Trust board.

Mr Tragakis and Ms Denley were among nine presiding members or chairs paid $70,758 a year.

Others were Tony Shepherd, at Infrastructure SA, SA Water’s Andrew Fletcher, Gary Storkey at Housing Trust, Helen Dyer, State Planning Commission, Paul Laband at Superannuation Funds Management, Raymond “Ray” Blight at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network and Juliet Brown at Lifetime Support Authority.

From left, Greg McCarthy, Sandy Verschoor, Joanne Denley, Bill Griggs, Con Tragakis

One of the state’s most high-profile board members is Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor, who sits on six including as chair of Kadaltilla / Adelaide Park Lands Authority.

She donates her fees to causes and organisations related to each particular board, which also includes the Adelaide Festival Centre and Premier's Climate Change Council.

Ministerial portfolios with the greatest boards or committees were Environment and Water (36), followed by Health and Wellbeing (32), Treasurer (22) and the Premier (21).

These boards advise Ministers on issues, manage public assets and oversee various education, economic, environmental or health programs.

There were 137 members who sat on at least two boards and 13 who were on three panels.

Another six people had membership of four boards while one represented five.

Most board members are paid annually or per session, however there are some voluntary roles.

Annual amounts vary between $1000 and $50,000 with a small group paid more.

Board members had various backgrounds and experiences.

They included politicians, former MPs, public-sector chief executives, senior bureaucrats, business, industry and community leaders, experts, councillors, judges, magistrates or lawyers.

Many of those on multiple boards oversee similar responsibilities such as in law in order.

Some board members have since resigned or their terms have finished with others appointed.

Most appointments are published in the Government Gazette.

How to get on board

Interested in getting on a state government board? It could be as easy as signing up online.

One way a person can get on to a board is by registering their interest online with BoardingCall, at boardingcall.sa.gov.au.

Applicants can create a profile and upload their CV into the system.

Agencies and boards can then use BoardingCall to recruit members.

“Selection processes can vary from board to board and will be influenced by many factors,” the website says.

“For example, if a board is established by legislation, the legislation may require members be appointed from particular industries or organisations, or have specific skills and qualifications.”

The Premier or Ministers nominate many appointments, while departments, councils, other organisations or stakeholders nominate others.

Registering does not guarantee an applicant a role and if a person sees a board position advertised and they are interested in it, they should still submit an application.

The time commitment required for each role will vary depending on the board, however in most cases members are able to maintain employment while serving on a board.

If a person is being considered for an appointment, they will be contacted directly by the government or a representative.