Rich list of Sunshine Coast’s top earning public servants revealed
Public servants working on the Sunshine Coast are raking in the cash, with some pay packets rivalling the premier‘s wage. Now, their names, jobs and salaries can be revealed.
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Public servants are some of the highest paid professionals in Queensland.
From politicians to judicial officers and health workers, there is a long list of individuals working in public sectors that are raking in the cash.
The Sunshine Coast Daily has combed through official documents that are made publicly available by each sector to draw out those who are making the most money.
The annual salaries range from anywhere between $110,000 to $500,000, rivalling the wage of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at $427,500 a year.
Take a look below at their healthy pay packets.
Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien, $211,250
Ted O’Brien was elected to the House of Representatives for Fairfax in 2016.
The base salary for senators and MPs is $211,250 per annum, according to the 2020 update from the Parliament of Australia.
Federal Member Fisher Andrew Wallace, $211,250
Andrew Wallace was elected to the House of Representatives for Fisher in 2016.
As his federal counterpart, Mr O’Brien, he too receives a base salary of $211,250 per annum.
Maroochydore District Court Judge Glen Cash, $389,711
Glen Cash, who worked as a crown prosecutor on Daniel Morcombe’s murder trial as well as Gable Tostee’s high-profile murder trial, became was appointed a District Court Judge in 2018.
According to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Judge Cash takes home about $389,711 per year.
Maroochydore District Court Judge Jennifer Rosengren, $389,711
Judge Rosengren was appointed a judge of the District Court of Queensland in 2017.
According to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Judge Rosengren takes home about $389,711 per year.
Maroochydore District Court Judge Gary Long, $389,711
Judge Long was appointed as a judge of the District Court of Queensland in 2011.
He too takes home $389,711, according to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court Magistrate Rodney Madsen, $368,331
Magistrate Madsen was appointed as a Magistrate for Maroochydore in 2011.
According to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Magistrate Madsen earns about $368,331 per year.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin, $368,331
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin was appointed as a Magistrate for Maroochydore in 2003.
According to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Magistrate McLaughlin takes home approximately $368,331 per year.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court Magistrate Maxine Baldwin, $368,331
Magistrate Maxine Baldwin earns about $368,331 a year, according to the Justice Department.
She was appointed as a Magistrate for Maroochydore in 2007.
Caloundra Magistrates Court Magistrate Catherine Benson, $368,331
Magistrate Catherine Benson was appointed as a Magistrate for Caloundra in 2017.
According to the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Magistrate Benson takes home about $368,331 per year.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist, $368,331
Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist who was appointed as a Magistrate for Maroochydore in 2012, also earns about $368,331 a year, according to Justice Department reports.
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service chief executive Peter Gillies, $458,000
Dr Gillies took the position of chief executive in October 2021 after the departure of Naomi Dwyer.
He is a doctor with 25 years’ experience in medicine who led two major health districts.
Dr Gillies takes home a pay of $458,000 per year, which amounts to more than the premier.
Nursing and Midwifery executive director Suzanna Metcalf, $271,000
Suzanna Metcalf is the executive director of Nursing and Midwifery for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Ms Metcalf takes home $271,000 a year, according to the annual report.
Allied Health executive director Gemma Turato, $230,000
Gemma Turato is the executive director of Allied Health for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Ms Turato takes home $230,000 a year, according to the annual report.
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service chief operating officer Lisa Newport, $250,000
Lisa Newport is the acting chief 0perating officer for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
This position has a salary of $250,000 a year, according to the annual report.
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service chief finance officer Andrew McDonald, $156,000
Andrew McDonald is the chief finance officer for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Mr McDonald takes home $156,000 a year, according to the annual report.
Executive Director People and Culture Colin Anderson, $195,000
Colin Anderson is the Executive Director of People and Culture for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Mr Anderson takes home $195,000 a year, according to the annual report.
Sunshine Coast Council chief executive Emma Thomas, $400,000-$500,000
According to the 2020-21 annual report, the council’s highest paid employee, chief executive Emma Thomas, was paid between $400,000 and $500,000.
Her salary was similar to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk who has an annual income of $427,500.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor and Local Government Association of Queensland president Mark Jamieson, $362,188
Mark Jamieson has been the Mayor of the Sunshine Coast Council since April 2012.
He was paid $228,521 last year, according to the council’s annual report.
On top of this Mr Jamieson received $133,667 for his role Local Government Association of Queensland president.
Sunshine Coast Council Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski, $158,332
The Deputy Mayor Rick Baberowski, who is also a councillor for Division 1 took home $158,332 last year.
Sunshine Coast Councillors
The councillors of Terry Landsberg, Peter Cox, Joe Natoli, Winston Johnston, Christian Dickson, Ted Hungerford, Jason O’Pray, Maria Suarez and David Law received salaries of $138,745.
Sunshine Coast Council group executive James Ruprai, $300,000-$400,000
Mr Rupai reports to the Sunshine Coast Council chief executive and earns between $300,000 and $400,000 a year.
Sunshine Coast Council group executive Tom Jamieson, $300,000 to $400,000
Mr Jamieson also reports to the chief executive and earns between $300,000 and $400,000 a year.
Sunshine Coast Council group executive Greg Laverty, $300,000 to $400,000
As his fellow group executives, Mr Laverty also earns between $300,000 and $400,000 a year.
Sunshine Coast Council group executive Warren Bunker, $300,000 to $400,000
Mr Bunker is no exception. He too reports to the chief executive on a pay package that earns him between $300,000 and $400,000 a year.
Sunshine Coast Council group executive Heidi Roberts, $300,000 to $400,000
Mr Roberts is responsible for business performance and earns between $300,000 and $400,000 a year.
Sunshine Coast Council executive manager Brendan Hogan, $200,000 to $300,000
Mr Hogan is the executive manager at the Sunshine Coast Council, with a particular focus on corporate operations, co-ordination and performance.
He received between $200,000 and $300,000 last year.
Sunshine Coast Council major projects and strategic property director Debra Robinson, $200,000 to $300,000
Ms Robinson started at the Sunshine Coast Council in 2017 and is now the director of major projects and strategic property.
Last year she took home between $200,000 and $300,000, the council report said.
Sunshine Coast Council chief strategy officer Bill Haddrill, $200,000 to $300,000
Mr Hadrill leads the development of strategic policy frameworks, policy and corporate planning at Sunshine Coast Council.
Mr Haddrill received between $200,000 and $300,000, the council report said.
Sunshine Coast Council chief of staff Craig Matheson, $200,000 to $300,000
Mr Matheson started at the Sunshine Coast Council in October 2010 following 20 years in State Government.
He received between $200,000 and $300,000, the council report said.
State Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie, $159,122
Mr Bleijie was elected as the state member for Kawana at the 2009 state election.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Noosa Sandra Bolton, $159,122
Ms Bolton was elected as the state member for Noosa in 2017 at the state election.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt, $159,122
Mr Hunt was elected as the state member for Caloundra in 2020.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg, $159,122
Mr Mickelberg was elected as the state member for Buderim in 2017.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Glass House Andrew Powell, $159,122
Mr Powell was elected as the state member for Glass House in 2009.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Ninderry Dan Purdie, $159,122
Mr Purdie was elected as the state member for Ninderry in 2017.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson, $159,122
Ms Simpson was elected as the state member for Maroochydore in 1992.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
State Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton, $159,122
Mr Skelton was elected as the state member for Nicklin in 2020.
According to the Review of Base and Additional Salary Levels of Members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for 2021, state members have an annual base salary of $159,122.
Sunshine Coast State School Principals
According to Queensland Department of Education, State School principals on the Sunshine Coast earn between $119,227 and $205,621 per year.
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