ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal presidential members want a pay rise to bring them near parity to ACT's magistrates, anticipating a more complex workload next year because of changes to rental laws and the new third party insurance scheme.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
But the remuneration tribunal decided to stick to a more modest 2.5 per cent increase.
In a submission to the tribunal, ACAT president Graeme Neate asked for members to receive a substantial pay rise because of the increased work expected in 2020.
He submitted the president should be paid a similar salary to the chief magistrate, and that other members' pay should significantly increase.
Mr Neate said ACAT would take on new responsibilities and a heavier workload largely due to changes in rental laws and hearing motor accident injuries disputes when the new "no fault" scheme comes into effect in February.
He said ACAT expected to deal with about 1600 new applications a year because of the new motor accident injuries act. It will also increase the complexity of the tribunal's dealings, he said.
"The ACAT has the broadest jurisdiction of civil and administrative tribunals nationally," Mr Neate said.
"The jurisdiction of the ACAT continues to expand with the enactment of legislation conferring new powers and functions on it, as well as amendments to existing legislation."
The remuneration tribunal said it considered the potential for increased complexity of work, but said the extent of that increase would not be known until cases were heard.
"The tribunal welcomes further submissions from ACAT in relation to any changes in work value once the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019 and other legislative amendments have commenced and their impact can be demonstrated," it said.
After the 2.5 per cent payrise, the president will be paid $371,546 while a presidential member will be paid $278,660.
The territory's judges and magistrates will also pocket a payrise after the latest determination.
ACT's magistrates will remain the best paid in the country after the tribunal decided to up their pay by 2.5 per cent.
A magistrate will be paid $371,546 while the Chief Magistrate will take home $432,191.
Judges pay increased 2 per cent to $468,020 while associate judges of the ACT Supreme Court received a 4.5 per cent pay increase, now paid $430,578.
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
ACT politics and health reporter Contact me with tips, story ideas, or just to have a chat, at daniella.white@canberratimes.com.au
