Health chief a top earner

SENIOR Western Australian bureaucrats have received pay rises as high as $100,000 during the Liberal-National government’s first term in office, research undertaken for the WA Business News Book of Lists has revealed.

Department of Health director general Kim Snowball shared top spot on the list of WA’s best-paid public servants with Racing and Wagering Western Australia CEO Richard Burt, each having total earnings of $615,000.

Mr Snowball’s remuneration increased by $100,000 in one year, putting his salary considerably higher than that of his predecessor, Peter Flett, who received a $540,000 salary upon being appointed director general.

Chief executives of government trading enterprises dominated the top end of the list, among them LandCorp CEO Ross Holt ($595,000) and Gold Corporation CEO Edward Harbuz ($585,000).

Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan’s take-home pay of $515,000 is up $100,000 from when the Barnett government took office in 2008, while under-treasurer Timothy Marney enjoyed a boost of $80,000 over the same period, also earning $515,000 in 2011-12.

Department of Premier and Cabinet director general Peter Conran’s pay went up by $90,000 in the three years to June 2012, to $485,000.

Public Sector Commissioner Malcolm Wauchope also enjoyed a substantial pay rise during the past three years, with his total remuneration up $65,000 to its current level of $505,000.

Nine senior public servants earned more than $500,000 during the past financial year, including five directors general of government departments. While board members determine executive salaries for government trading enterprises, the remuneration of directors general is subject to the rulings of the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal.

Treasurer Troy Buswell said in response to inquiries from WA Business News that the Office of the Auditor General had made changes to its reporting requirements this year “to include more non-salary costs as part of the overall cost of the CEO position to each department”, and that the SAT had not made a determination on salaries in 2012.

While Mr Burt’s salary placed him on equal footing with Mr Snowball at the top of the list, a spokesperson for Racing and Gaming Minister Terry Waldron advised that RWWA is not classified as a government trading enterprise and, as such, the minister responsible had no involvement in its operations beyond appointing a nonexecutive chairman.

Just more than 12 months ago, Premier Colin Barnett told WA Business News amendments to the Salaries and Allowances Act, which would allow the SAT to take control of setting executive remuneration for government trading enterprises, were set to be introduced this year but such amendments have not yet emerged.

The remuneration of leading public servants is likely to remain a contentious issue heading into the state election. Opposition leader Mark McGowan pledged earlier this year to cap executive salaries if the Labor Party takes government.