The chief executive officers of some State Government agencies have secretly been given massive pay increases by Premier Jay Weatherill, it can be revealed.
CEO
|
New salary package |
Pay rise |
David Swan (SA Health) |
$500,000 |
$67,269 |
David Reynolds (DTF) |
$471,200 |
$71,746 (2 years) |
Tony Harrison (DECD) |
$450,000 |
$51,675 |
Don Russell (DSD) |
$470,000 |
$20,000 |
Joslene Mazel (DCSI) |
$372,351 |
$9,911 |
“It is clear that Mr Weatherill’s bizarre decision to give a $150,000 pay increase to former Labor staffer Kym Winter-Dewhirst as his new Premier and Cabinet CEO has had a flow on effect of pay increases for others,” said Mr Lucas.
“CEOs like David Swan are now being paid almost twice the salary of their Minister who is responsible for their performance.
“Mr Weatherill must also clarify whether any of these pay rises were backdated and if so, to what date.
“Public service sources have claimed that at least some of these CEO pay rises were backdated to 1 July.
“It seems extraordinary that after all the recent child protection controversies and other problems in DECD that the CEO would be rewarded with a massive $51,675 pay rise.
“Mr Weatherill must explain publicly how he justifies paying a bonus rise for that sort of performance.
“South Australian families struggling to cope with cost of living pressures will not only be furious at the size of the pay rises but also at the arrogance of the government in keeping them secret.”
Mr Weatherill has also given a pay rise to all Ministerial staff and spin doctors and backdated it to 1 July.
However, as this decision was delayed until after the Government Gazette on 12 November revealed the salaries of staff, the extent of individual pay rises has been concealed.
It is understood the general increase is 2.5% but the details of any ‘special cases’ and bigger pay rises is unknown.
“Mr Weatherill should now reveal the salary packages of all his Ministerial staff and spin doctors,” said Mr Lucas.