John Day: Rush to change rules after ‘invalid’ appointment of former Minister to board that decides MP pay

Revelations a former minister’s appointment to the tribunal that sets MP’s salaries was “invalid” has sparked a rush to amend legislation, to avoid putting four years of politician pay decisions in doubt. The State Government introduced an urgent amendment to laws governing the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal on Tuesday, after discovering former Liberal Planning Minister John Day’s appointment in 2021 was in breach as the Tribunal determines any remuneration for former MP’s. Nationals MP Lachlan Hunter described the oversight as “embarrassing” and a “scandalous failure of basic governance”. He’s demanding the Government reveal who signed off on Mr Day’s appointment. “This is a textbook case of Labor’s incompetence,” Mr Hunter said. “Appointing someone in direct breach of the Act is not a minor oversight. It’s a failure of process, a failure of accountability and a complete breakdown in ministerial responsibility.” Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas praised Mr Day’s “character and service” but questioned how the “gross error” went unnoticed for four years. “While the Opposition accepts the need for this bill to avoid significant legal risk . . . we do so with a strong degree of discomfort,” he said. Mr Day sat on the tribunal until last month and most recently approved a 4 per cent pay rise for MP’s. The Government said decisions made during Mr Day’s four-year tenure will stand as “lawful and valid”. “The Bill before Parliament this week will validate Mr Day’s appointment and the decisions made by the Tribunal while he was a member,” a spokeswoman said. Members of the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal are paid $31,214 per annum.