New Local Government Remuneration Commission chair announced

Former Sunshine Coast and Noosa mayor and widely respected local government identity Bob Abbot will chair the new Local Government Remuneration Commission.

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the commission would establish categories for Queensland’s 77 councils and the amount of remuneration payable to councillors and mayors in those categories.

He said Mr Abbot would be joined by Andrea Ranson and Reimen Hii, both of whom are part-time mediators for the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).

“Bob, Andrea and Reimen not only bring a wealth of experience in local government and the law, but I know they will also ensure that Queensland’s diversity will be well represented in their recommendations.

“Bob has 32 years’ experience as an elected councillor and mayor, and has held board and panel positions with the South East Queensland Council of Mayors and the LGAQ.

“Importantly, he has been willing to pass on his knowledge as a mentor to newly elected mayors and councillors, with a particular focus on Indigenous mayors.”

“He will be very ably assisted by Andrea and Reimen, whose legal expertise, experience in public administration, and engagement with local governments will be of enormous value.

“I’d also like to note that Reimen is the 2019 recipient of the Australian Young Lawyer Award for his outstanding contribution to the law through his pro bono work.

“I wish them all well over the course of their four-year tenure and I have complete confidence they will do an outstanding job for communities across Queensland.”

The role of the commission is to establish the categories of local governments; decide the category to which each local government belongs; and decide the maximum amount of remuneration payable to the councillors and mayors in each category.

The categories are reviewed every four years, while the remuneration is reviewed annually. 

The commission, along with the new Councillor Conduct Tribunal replace the former Local Government Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s rolling reform agenda to improve integrity, transparency and accountability in the sector.

For more information visit www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/remuneration-commission