Bonuses fell for many Tasmanian state service executives in 2020, analysis shows

A Mercury analysis reveals many of the state’s highest-paid public servants had their salary packages shrink in the last year which has been tougher than most. See how much the senior executives earned >>

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THE past financial year was brutal for some of Tasmania’s top public sector executives, who suffered big declines in their salaries.

A Mercury analysis of annual reports published so far this year reveals many of the state’s highest-paid public servants in both government departments and business enterprises had their salary packages shrink in 2019-20.

TasRail chief executive officer Steven Dietrich – seen here at the scene of a train derailment in Devonport in 2018 – was one of several top public servants to have their pay drop in 2019-20. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The biggest loser was TasRail chief operating officer Stephen Kerrison, whose salary package shrunk by 14 per cent to $279,994 as bonuses were taken off the table at the state-owned rail operator.

TasRail CEO Steven Dietrich’s pay dropped 11.9 per cent, from $415,000 to $365,000.

TasRail’s results were hit by the sharp contraction in economic activity and freight revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the business did not meet its financial targets.

TasRail made a net profit of $1.1 million, compared with a target of $2.1 million.

At Hydro Tasmania, chief asset management and investment officer Evangelista Albertini took a 7 per cent drop, from $502,000 to $466,000.

Bonuses paid to Hydro Tasmania executives were also slashed in 2020.

Department of Premier and Cabinet chief Jenny Gale was not immune to the pay drops last financial year.

TasNetworks CEO Lance Balcombe’s salary went down 4.4 per cent to $477,000.

Even the head of the state’s public service, Department of Premier and Cabinet chief Jenny Gale, was not immune, with a 5.2 per cent drop in her package from $548,000 to $519,000.

Tasmania Police Commissioner Darren Hine went backwards by 1 per cent — during a busy year in which he played a key role in managing the state’s response to the pandemic.

The University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor was the highest-paid government employee in 2019-20, with a total package worth about $975,000.

But the news was not all bad for the state’s best-paid public sector workers. TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald received a 14 per rise to $492,000.

The business recorded a net profit of $5.1 million, compared with the previous year’s $12 million.

Macquarie Point Development Corporation chief Mary Massina had an 8 per cent pay rise last year. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Hydro chief operating officer Gerard Flack received a 10.5 per cent rise to $431,000, while Aurora Energy boss Rebecca Kardos enjoyed a 9.5 per cent bump to $408,000.

Aurora posted a $5.4 million loss in 2020, its first since it became a stand-alone retailer in 2014. No bonuses were paid to Aurora executives in 2020.

Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Mary Massina had her pay jump 8 per cent to $291,000 and Co-ordinator-General John Perry nudged the half-million-dollar mark with a 3 per cent rise to $495,000.

For some of the state’s highest-paid officials, salary rises are automatic and reserved by law. These include Governor Kate Warner, who received a salary of $594,000, Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates, who received $535,000, and Auditor-General Rod Whitehead, who received $506,000

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Analysis of salary packages is complicated by movements between jobs, short-term bonuses, promotions as well as arrivals and departures part way through the financial year.

And the annual reports of several government departments remain outstanding.

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