Overview

The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/21, titled "Parliamentary Office Holders – Additional Salary," was enacted in 2006 under the authority of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for a clear and consistent framework governing the additional salary for various parliamentary office holders. The Remuneration Tribunal, as part of its mandate to review and determine the remuneration of public office holders, issued this determination to ensure that parliamentary office holders receive appropriate additional salary in line with their roles and responsibilities. The determination outlines specific percentages of basic salary that apply to different office holders, including leaders, whips, and committee chairs, and ensures that these salaries are calculated and paid in accordance with prescribed methods. The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/21 was made by the Remuneration Tribunal, which operates under the legislative authority of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. The primary policy objective of this determination is to provide a transparent and equitable method for calculating and paying additional salaries to parliamentary office holders, thereby ensuring that the remuneration aligns with the duties and responsibilities associated with each office. This determination aims to maintain consistency and fairness in the remuneration of parliamentary office holders, reflecting their varying levels of responsibility and contribution to the functioning of the parliament.

Scope and Application

The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/21, concerning the Additional Salary for Parliamentary Office Holders, applies specifically to individuals who occupy various parliamentary offices as defined within the Act. These offices range from the Leader of the Opposition to the Chair of the Senate Standing Committee of Privileges, and each is assigned a specific additional salary percentage over their basic salary. The Determination, issued under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, supersedes conflicting provisions of the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990. It applies nationally across Australia, governing the remuneration for federal parliamentary office holders. The Determination sets out detailed percentages for additional salary based on the office held, ensuring that payments are calculated and rounded up to the nearest ten dollars, and distributed pro rata for part-year service. There are no specific exclusions or exemptions outlined within this Determination, but it does extend its application through subordinate instruments such as the Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Public Office and Members of Parliament.

Key Provisions

The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2006/21 sets out the additional salary provisions for parliamentary office holders under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. Section 2.2 states that a person holding a parliamentary office is entitled to the additional salary specified in Table 1. The rates of additional salary are expressed as a percentage of the basic salary, which is defined in section 2.1 as the amount payable under Clause 1 of Schedule 3 to the Remuneration and Allowances Act 1990 and Regulation 4 of the Remuneration and Allowances Regulations 1999. Authorities are directed to calculate the additional salary by rounding up to the nearest ten dollars and to pay annual benefits on a pro rata basis according to the office holder’s period of service during the year, as stipulated in section 2.3. The obligations imposed by this Determination on the relevant authorities include the calculation and payment of additional salary as per the percentages outlined in Table 1. Authorities must ensure that these calculations are made accurately, rounding up to the nearest ten dollars as required. Additionally, they must pay annual benefits in proportion to the office holder’s service period within the year. These obligations ensure that parliamentary office holders receive their entitled additional salaries in a timely and accurate manner, reflecting the responsibilities and demands of their respective roles. There are no specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences outlined within this Determination for breaches of its provisions. However, failure to comply with the requirements for calculating and paying additional salary could lead to legal challenges or administrative actions. It is essential for authorities to adhere to the stipulations of this Determination to avoid potential disputes or enforcement actions related to the remuneration of parliamentary office holders.