Liberal Member of the Legislative Council Rob Lucas today called on Premier Rann to clarify important details of a massive pay increase given to one of his key staff members.
Yesterday’s Government Gazette revealed that Peter Chataway was given a $26,000 pay increase (16.8%) to a new pay level of $180,090.
The Gazette notes that Mr Chataway was moved from his previous position of Chief of Staff to the Premier to a new position of ‘Principal Advisor, Government Relations.’
The Gazette also notes that as of 5 July 2007 Mr Chataway was actually on an “extended absence on annual and long service leave.”
Premier Rann must clarify urgently:
• Given Mr. Chataway has been removed from the most senior position in Mr. Rann’s office of Chief of Staff why was he given a $26,000 or 16.8% pay increase?
• How much leave has Mr. Chataway been given?
• Whether Mr. Rann gave Mr. Chataway his $26,000 pay increase just before he went on extended leave?
• If Mr. Chataway is on extended leave is he being paid at the much higher level even though the leave was actually accumulated when he was paid at his old salary levels?
“So far there has been no explanation from Mr Rann as to why Mr Chataway should have got given a massive pay rise when he now only holds an advisor’s position when previously he was Chief of Staff,” Mr Lucas said.
“In fact Mr Rann has gone into hiding on this issue and avoided media scrutiny as the public outrage has grown over the last 24 hours against his decision.
“If Mr Rann has actually given Mr Chataway a $26,000 pay increase and he has taken extended leave at the much higher salary level I am sure nurses, dentists and psychiatrists will be even more outraged at Mr Rann’s decision.
“These massive pay increases by Mr Rann to his own personal staff and ‘spin doctors’ just show how out of touch and arrogant Mr Rann has become.”
