Overview
The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/12, specified under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, was introduced to address the need for regular reviews and adjustments of remuneration and allowances for certain holders of public office. Enacted by the Remuneration Tribunal, this determination follows an annual review process to ensure that the remuneration packages remain competitive and reflective of current economic conditions. The objective of this determination is to update and increase the base salary and total remuneration for specified statutory officers by 4.2 per cent, effective from 1 July 2007, as well as to adjust allowances for business-related vehicle usage and to clarify certain definitions such as Total Remuneration. The Tribunal also incorporates provisions from previous determinations to maintain consistency in areas such as official travel and compensation for loss of office. This determination underscores the policy objective of providing fair and transparent remuneration for public office holders, ensuring that their compensation aligns with the responsibilities and demands of their roles.
Scope and Application
The Remuneration Tribunal Determination 2007/12, specified under the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, sets out the remuneration and allowances for certain holders of public office, specifically targeting specified statutory officers. The application of this determination extends to the individuals occupying these public offices, including but not limited to those listed in Table 1 of the Determination, and encompasses the calculation of base salary, total remuneration, allowances for business-related vehicle usage, and provisions for official travel, compensation for early loss of office, and recreation leave. This determination applies across the Commonwealth of Australia and supersedes previous determinations, specifically the Determination 2006/05 (as amended). Notably, the definition of Total Remuneration has been clarified to exclude payments in lieu of recreation leave or compensation for early loss of office. The scope of the determination is further extended and refined through subordinate instruments such as Determinations 2004/03, 2007/07, and 2007/09, which provide specific details on official travel, compensation for loss of office, and recreation leave respectively.
Key Provisions
The Determination 2007/12, made by the Remuneration Tribunal, outlines the remuneration and related matters for certain holders of public office, as authorised by the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973 (sections 3 and 4). The Tribunal conducted this determination following consultations in accordance with established practices. This Determination, effective from a specified date, supersedes the previous Determination 2006/05 (as amended). The determination clarifies that payments in lieu of recreation leave or compensation for early loss of office should not be included in the calculation of Total Remuneration (sections 3 and 4).
The Determination imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties it governs. For example, it specifies the increased Base Salary and Total Remuneration for the listed Specified Statutory Offices effective from 1 July 2007 (section 5). Additionally, the Determination mandates an increase in the amount for business-related vehicle usage from $3,150 to $3,350 per annum, based on the kilometre allowance for business use of a motor vehicle (section 6). Other provisions in Part 2 remain unchanged from those in Determination 2006/05 (section 7).
Regarding official travel, the Determination refers to the provisions in Determination 2004/03 and specifies that Specified Statutory Officers have Tier 1 travel provisions (sections 8.1 and 8.2). It also addresses compensation for early loss of office by referring to the provisions in Determination 2007/07 (section 9). Furthermore, the Determination specifies that the provisions in Determination 2007/09 apply to recreation leave, where the Remuneration Tribunal has the power to determine such leave (section 10).
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach stated within the Determination itself. However, any breaches of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973, under which this Determination is made, may result in civil or criminal consequences as prescribed by the Act. The specific penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as any applicable laws and regulations at the time of the offence.