Governor Frances Adamson banks pay rise of more than $140,000 in just over two years

The salary of South Australia’s governor has risen again – taking an extreme jump up for the second year in a row. Do you think it’s warranted?

The salary of South Australia’s governor, Frances Adamson, has risen by more than $140,000 in just over two years.

A recent determination of the state’s Remuneration Tribunal increased Governor Adamson’s annual salary from February 1 to $495,754.

She has received multiple pay rises in recent years after a 2021 review found the salary for the role – at the time $351,015 a year – was “materially lower” than the salary of governors in other Australian jurisdictions.

“It noted that if the anomaly was not addressed, there was the potential to indicate a lesser role for the Governor of South Australia,” the recent determination said.

Based on that review, which took into account the other salaries, the annual rate was increased to $408,695 from January 2022, then $463,375 from January 2023.

Another review was undertaken in late 2023.

South Australian Governor Frances Adamson. Picture: Tom Huntley

Governor Adamson did not make any submission to the review – leaving the decision to the tribunal.

In their determination, the three-member panel said that the unique function of the governor’s role meant they were unable to apply “normal work value principles” to assess pay.

“There are no South Australian public functions which can be regarded as comparable, or for whom the governor’s remuneration sets a precedent,” they said.

“The tribunal is concerned that, unless the benchmark approach established in its last review is maintained, the governor’s remuneration level will again fall behind directly comparable rates in other state sand thus necessitate a significant adjustment in future years.

“Accordingly, the tribunal has decided to increase the salary of the governor to $495,754.”

Governor Adamson did not comment, but a spokeswoman said decisions on the Governor’s salary are made independently by the tribunal.

“Her Excellency was invited to make a submission to the Tribunal but, consistent with practice over a number of years, did not do so,” she said.

Several senior public servants are paid more than Governor Adamson, with latest remuneration data showing Department of the Premier and Cabinet chief executive Damien Walker earning a total remuneration package of $734,589.

Health chief executive Dr Robyn Lawrence takes home a total $674,977, with Treasury chief executive Rick Persse on $650,000.

Originally published as Governor Frances Adamson banks pay rise of more than $140,000 in just over two years