Peter Gutwein Shadow Treasurer
THE State Labor Government’s new Water and Sewerage Corporation has started badly, with revelations that the chairman will be paid an astonishing $135,000 a year – for just one days’ work a week.
“That is a totally unjustifiable amount of money. And it gets worse,” Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today.
“If the corporation chairman is required to work for two or three days a week, he will receive an additional $60,000 for each of those days.
“That is a potential remuneration of $255,000 a year for only working three days a week.
“Even taking into account the fact that for the first two years, the chairman will be an executive chairman, this sort of payment is absolutely unjustifiable.”
And when asked about this in Parliament, the Water Minister David Llewellyn said it was nothing to do with him.
Mr Gutwein questioned this suggestion as it was the State Government which, with much fanfare, brought in the legislation to establish these new corporations.
This information is released at the same time as Tasmanian ratepayers are being told they are likely to have to pay more for water and sewerage charges.
“This is totally unconscionable. Labor set up this corporation, and it is their responsibility to explain this extravagance,” Mr Gutwein said.
This pay arrangement was set before the chairman was selected, meaning it was not based on the chairman’s professional background or skills.
“This waste is absolutely breathtaking. How many nurses, police officers or disability workers could be employed for this sort of money?
“One of the main reasons for establishing the new water and sewerage corporations was apparently to use money more efficiently. The State Labor Government has resoundingly failed this critical test.
“What this State needs after more than 10 years of this wasteful Labor Government is a new government which shows the leadership necessary to use public money responsibly and efficiently.”
