REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL

Explanatory Statement:  Determination 2012/15
Members of Parliament – Base Salary, Entitlements and Related Matters

1.	The Remuneration Tribunal has determined an annual adjustment of 3 per cent in the remuneration of public offices in its jurisdiction with effect from 1 July 2012, as it is empowered to do by the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973. This Determination gives effect to this adjustment.

2.	In making this Determination the Tribunal has informed itself through consultation in accordance with established practice.  Full reasons for the Tribunal’s decisions, as required by subsection 7A of the Act, are published on the Tribunal’s website.

3.	Any retrospective application of this Determination is in accordance with subsection 12(2) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 as it does not affect the rights of a person (other than the Commonwealth or an authority of the Commonwealth) to that person’s disadvantage, nor does it impose any liability on such a person.

4.	This Determination is compatible with the human rights or freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.  This Determination does not engage any of the applicable rights or freedoms.

PART 1 – BASE SALARY AND RELATED MATTERS

5.	Clause 1.1 specifies the Principal Determination (Number 2 of 2012) for the purposes of Part 1 of the Determination.

6.	Clause 1.2 increases the base salary to be paid to a member of parliament by 3 per cent (rounded).

7.	Clause 1.3 adjusts the part of base salary that is not to be taken into account in defining parliamentary allowance (salary) for the purposes of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Act 1948.

8.	Clause 1.4 provides that the above changes take effect on and from 1 July 2012.

PART 2 – ENTITLEMENTS

9.	Clause 2.1 specifies the Principal Determination (Number 4 of 2012) for the purposes of Part 2 of the Determination.

10.	Clauses 2.2 and 2.3 correct a typographical error in the Principal Determination, with effect on and from 15 March 2012.

11.	Clauses 2.4 and 2.5 increase the maximum amounts of charter allowance available per year to eligible senators and members, with effect on and from 1 July 2012.

	Authority: Subsections 7(1), 7(1A) and 7(4)
of the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973