Premier accepts big pay rise after initially saying it was 'out of step'

Last year, Tasmania's Premier Jeremy Rockliff resisted a 22% pay increase for parliamentarians, capping his rise at 3%. However, he has since acknowledged that he and all other parliamentarians are receiving the full 22% increase mandated by the Industrial Commission after a seven-year pay freeze. Health union officials have labeled the government's offer to nurses as unfair, especially compared to the raises granted to parliamentarians.

In June, the Industrial Commission ruled that parliamentarians should receive a 22% pay increase after a prolonged pay freeze. At the time, Rockliff expressed his disapproval on social media, stating, "This is not on, and we will not be accepting it." The Liberal Party moved a motion in parliament to disallow the increase, but it was ultimately rejected by Labor and eight independents in the upper house.

In response, Rockliff announced that he would only accept a 3% pay rise for himself. Three percent, the same as what is being offered to public workers, is fair and reasonable, he stated. Several other Liberal politicians also declared they would only take a 3% rise, while most other parliamentarians accepted the full amount. However, today, Rockliff confirmed that he and all other parliamentarians are now on the rate recommended by the commission.

The Premier noted that Tasmanians did not expect a pay dispute to be the first order of business for the new parliament and that it was not his primary focus or the community's expectation. He had previously accepted a lower amount for over a year, but now all parliamentarians are in line with the Industrial Commission's determination.

This decision comes at a time when the government plans to cut 1,700 state servant roles by 2030 to control spending. Health union officials have expressed concerns about the fairness of offering nurses modest pay raises of 3%, 2.75%, and 2.5% over the next three years. Treasurer Eric Abetz, who received a 22.36% pay rise last year, accepted the increase after the Liberal Party's disallowance was rejected by Labor and certain crossbench members.

Health Minister Bridget Archer also confirmed she is now on the higher rate, stating that the government is continuing to negotiate in good faith with health unions about the wage offer.