Ms Anne Cahill Lambert
Chair
ACT Remuneration Tribunal
By email: remtrib@act.gov.au

Dear Ms Cahill Lambert,

I refer to the Remuneration Tribunal's request for submissions in relation to the review of remuneration of statutory office holders for the forthcoming financial year, and provide the following submission.

It is my understanding that the Remuneration Tribunal is required to set remuneration by reference to the evidenced work value of the position.

I have previously submitted to the Remuneration Tribunal that the determinations of remuneration made to date in relation the position of fulltime non-presidential member bear little relation to the functions actually performed by the position. I refer the Remuneration Tribunal to my previous submission in which I suggested that remuneration be set at around 65% of the remuneration of a presidential member.

I understand that the Remuneration Tribunal obtained an independent and external assessment of the work value of the position, conducted by Mercer Australia. That work value assessment has recommended remuneration be set at around $194,000 plus superannuation of 16%. I am not aware of any evidence of work value provided to the Remuneration Tribunal which is contrary to that expert and independent assessment.

The current determination of remuneration for the position of full time 
non-presidential member also seems at odds with the reasoning applied by the Remuneration Tribunal in deciding to remunerate presidential members of the ACAT at a rate equivalent to that of a Magistrate (now $325,915 per annum).

I am concerned that the Remuneration Tribunal may have previously relied upon information which does not acknowledge the distinctive nature of the 'administrative work' which can be properly undertaken by a member of the Tribunal.

I would appreciate an opportunity to appear before the Remuneration Tribunal to speak to this submission, and to comment upon the accuracy of any information as to the work value of the position which the Remuneration Tribunal proposes to rely upon.

Your Sincerely 
Mary-Therese Daniel

Member
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal