RUSSELL EMMERSON
September 23, 2009
FOUR high flyers earn more than $100,000 from SA Government boards
and committees, while almost 50 each earn more than the average annual
income.
Funds SA chairwoman Helen Nugent, who is also a director of merchant
bank Macquarie Group, Origin Energy and Bond University, earned $121,065
last year from her 12 meetings. Professional director and accountant Jane Yuile
earned $117,453 from her work with the Environment Protection Authority
and the Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design Board.
More than $11.6 million was paid in board fees in 2008–09, a 12.6 per cent
increase on the previous year.
OUR TOP EARNERS - FULL LIST AT BOTTOM OF THIS STORY.
A government spokesman said the increase was approved because "a number
of boards were under-classified based on their current level of responsibility",
causing fees to fall behind wages increases.
But opposition finance spokesman Rob Lucas said some increases – including
the 46 per cent increase in fees for the Motor Accident Commission board –
simply made no sense.
"At a time when (Premier Mike) Rann is asking public servants to restrain
wage increases to 2.5 per cent per annum, it demonstrates how out of touch
Mr Rann and his Government are when they waste taxpayers' money by
increasing massively the annual payments to board appointees," he said.
It was revealed earlier this month that the Motor Accident Commission and
Funds SA had lost almost $2 billion at a time when public servant pay increases
are to be capped at 2.5 per cent.
University of Adelaide associate professor of finance Alfred Yawson said higher
fees should be linked to performance.
"If their contract was just about performance, their fee increases should be
consistent with that performance," he said. "But any increase should motivate
people to work harder to achieve those objectives in the next period."
While the board positions direct some of the state's most powerful boards,
they are not without their political connections.
Workcover injury consultant Sandra de Poi earned about $81,594
last year from her board positions with Workcover and Homestart Finance.
She is a former campaign manager for Environment Minister Jay Weatherill
and is understood to be the partner of Labor MP Leon Bignell.
And Philip Bentley, a friend of Mr Rann, earned $91,482 from his chairmanship
of Workcover and related entities.
OUR TOP BOARD EARNERS
1. HELEN NUGENT
Committees and meetings per year: Economic Development Board (4), Funds SA (chair, 12), Funds SA Audit Committee (4). Total board fees: $121,065.Other associations: Macquarie Bank (director), Macquarie Group (director), Bond University (director), Origin Energy (director), Swiss Re Life & Health Australia (director).
2. JANE YUILE
Committees and meetings per year: Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design Board (11), SA Film Corporation (10), Electricity Supply Industry Planning Council (9), Environment Protection Authority board (11), Workcover Corporation (6), Workcover Audit & Risk Committee (chair, 4), Workcover Workplace Injury Committee (4).Total board fees: $117,453.Other associations: Amik Consulting (strategy and finance, director), VICTEC (electrical skills training, director), Adelaide University (finance committee member), Department of Health (risk management and audit committee member).
3. ROGER COOK
Committees and meetings per year: SA Motor Sport Board (presiding member, 12), Motor Accident Commission (chair, 12), MAC Claims Management Committee (6), MAC Investment Committee (6), MAC Road Safety and Sponsorship Committee (5).Total board fees: $113,213.Other associations: V8 Supercars Australia (director), Kangaroo Island Lodge (owner), Urban Construct (former chairman), Colliers Jardine (former Hong Kong chief executive), Tourism SA (former chairman), Major Projects Taskforce (former chairman).
4. YVONNE SNEDDON
Committees and meetings per year: Motor Accident Commission (12), MAC Finance and Audit Committee (chair, 5), SA Financing Advisory Board (6), SAFA Audit Committee (6), Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board (presiding member, 11), Rural Solutions SA Board (10).Total board fees: $113,148.Other associations: Flinders Reproductive Technology (director), Sage Automation (director), former partner of Deloitte (accounting and advisory).
5. JULIET BROWN
Committees and meetings per year: MAC (12), MAC Claims Management Committee (6), MAC Road Safety and Sponsorship Committee (5), SA Financing Advisory Board (6), Bio-Innovation SA (6), Bio-Innovation SA Audit Committee (6).Total board fees: $97, 426Other associations: Royal Automobile Association (director, former president), RAA Insurance (director), SA Anti-Cancer Council (director), Wilderness School (director).
6. BRUCE CARTER
Committees and meetings per year: Economic Development Board (chair, 4), SA Motor Sport Board (12).Total board fees: $92,690.Other associations: State Government "razor gang" (member), Renewables SA (new board), Ferrier Hodgson (partner), director of numerous investment trusts, manager and liquidator of companies including Harris Scarfe.
7. PHILIP BENTLEY
Committees and meetings per year: Workcover Corporation (chair, 6), Workcover Human Resources Committee (2), Workcover Regulations Review Committee (4), Workcover Workplace Injury Committee (chair, 4), Mining and Quarrying Occupational Health and Safety Committee (8).Total board fees: $91,482.Other associations: Thoroughbred Racing SA (chair), former Victorian Racing administrator, friend of Premier Mike Rann.
8. CATHERINE COOPER
Committees and meetings per year: SA Water Board (14), SA Water Audit Committee (6), Third Party Premiums Committee (2), Barley Exporting Advisory Committee (2), Dairy Authority of SA (10), Fisheries Council (6), Rural Solutions SA (10).Total board fees: $90,983.Other associations: Harness Racing SA (director), government-funded agricultural skills industry board Agrifood Skills Australia (director), remediation advisory company CRC Care (director), Lawguard Management (director).
9. HANS OHFF
Committees and meetings per year: SA Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care (6), Lotteries Commission (12).Total board fees: $87,148.Other associations: Former ASC chief executive, reviewed Santos repair after 2004 Moomba explosion.
10. SANDRA De POI
Committees and meetings per year: Workcover Corporation (6), Workcover Regulations Review Committee (4), Workcover Workplace Injury Committee (4), Homestart Finance Board (11), Homestart Finance Asset and Liability Committee (11).Total board fees: $81,594.Other associations: Workplace injury consultants De Pio Consulting (director), former campaign manager for Environment Minister Jay Weatherill, partner of Labor MP Leon Bignell.
11. EDWARD (TED) BYRT
Committees and meetings per year: Development Assessment Commission (26), Port Waterfront Redevelopment Committee (12), SA Affordable Housing Trust (11), SA Housing Trust (11), SA Housing Trust Audit Subcommittee (6).Total board fees: $81,440.Other associations: Australian Advanced Manufacturing Centre (director), Papyrus (director), Beford Industries (director), construction interests, former labour lawyer (Norman Waterhouse), international trade body China Cluster (former chairman).
12. JIM KOUTS
Committees and meetings per year: Homestart Finance Board (11), Homestart Finance Asset and Liability Committee (11), Electricity Supply Industry Planning Council (9), Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Board (9).Total board fees: $75,050.Other associations: International Power (corporate affairs manager), former media and political adviser for former Labor premier Lynn Arnold.
13. MICHAEL KEATING
Committees and meetings per year: Economic Development Board (4), Trainnig and Skills Commission (8).Total board fees: $75,000.Other associations: Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (NSW, chairman), former secretary of federal departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance, Employment and Industrial Relations, former Australia Post director, former Fujitsu Australia director.
14. PETER VAUGHAN
Committees and meetings per year: Training and Skills Commission (8), Workcover Corporation (6), Workcover Human Resources Committee (2), Workcover Workplace Injury Committee (4), State Theatre Company Board of Governors (9).Total board fees: $74,003.Other associations: Business SA (chief executive).
15. MARY MARSLAND
Committees and meetings per year: SA Affordable Housing Trust (11), SA Housing Trust (11), Building Rules Assessment Commission (N/A), Adelaide Park Lands Authority (12), Construction Industry Training Board (11).Total board fees: $69,698.Other associations: Masonic Homes (director).
16. IAN KOWALICK
Committees and meetings per year: Playford Capital (8), Playford Capital Investment Committee (N/A), Playford Centre Board (8), Adelaide Festival Centre Trust (11), State Opera of SA Board (10).Total board fees: $68,105.Other associations: Arafura Resources (director), NuPower (director), water infrastructure consultant, former head of Department of Premier and Cabinet.
17. VIRGINIA HICKEY
Committees and meetings per year: Transadelaide (11), Transadelaide Audit and Risk Committee (5), Transitplus (6), SA Fire and Emergency Services Commission (12).Total board fees: $65,628.Other associations: Flinders Ports (alternative director), Medical Defence Association (director), Medical Insurance Australia (director)
18. JAN McMAHON
Committees and meetings per year: SA Superannuation Board (11), SA Superannuation Member Services Committee (2), Funds SA (12), Funds SA Human Resources Committee (4).Total board fees: $65,641.Other associations: Public Service Association (general secretary), Savings & Loans Credit Union (director), Health Partners (director).
19. ROSSLYN SUMNER
Committees and meetings per year: SA Superannuation Board (11), SA Superannuation Member Services Committee (2), Funds SA (12), Funds SA Audit Committee (4).Total board fees: $65,451.Other associations: former director, Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia.
20. JOHN ROSS
Committees and meetings per year: Forestry SA (chair, 12), Forestry SA Review Subcommittee (4), SA Local Government Grants Commission (15), South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Act 1992 Review Reference Group (4).Total board fees: $65,078.Other associations: Tatiara District Council (deputy mayor), former president of Australian Local Government Association.
Source: Register of Board and Committees, Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Analysed by The Advertiser. Board fees assumes member attended all meetings, or total amount has been apportioned to all members.
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