Tribunal to establish fees for Mayors and Councillors: Fraser

27 July 2007

Tribunal to establish fees for Mayors and Councillors: Fraser

The State Government will establish an independent tribunal to set salaries for all Mayors and Councillors in all local government areas across the state.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser said the establishment of the tribunal would bring the local government system into line with a similar Remuneration Tribunal which sets salary levels for Parliamentarians.

“In Queensland, Councils have been free to set Councillor salaries themselves and currently other states are also moving toward the use of independent bodies,” Mr Fraser said.

Mr Fraser also announced today the Electoral Commission of Queensland would run the 2008 local government elections.

“This is a key part of our commitment to building a more robust and transparent system of local government and bringing local government into alignment with State and Federal Governments.

“Key features of a truly democratic system of government are:

§To have boundaries set by an independent commission

§To have pay for elected representatives set by an independent remuneration tribunal and

§To have an independent commission conduct elections

“The Electoral Commission has commenced preparations for the running of the 2008 local government elections, including looking at its information systems, electoral processes and information processes.”

Media Contact: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874

Chris Ward 0418 424 654