South-east Queensland chief executives earn more than mayors, premier
Every council CEO in south-east Queensland is paid more than democratically elected mayors, and many earn bigger salaries than the premier.
At least six top executives in the district earn more than $500,000. Prime Minister David Crisafulli’s most recent salary increase in the middle of last year took his pay to $476,323.
Adrian Schrinner was the highest-paid mayor with an annual income of $300,280. Brisbane City Council chief executive Kerrie Freeman earned nearly double that, with a salary of $600,000 to $699,000, according to the latest annual report.
Senior managers, or chief executives, are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of councils, enforcing the policies of elected representatives and managing large numbers of staff.
Freeman previously worked in a variety of academic roles and positions with the Queensland and South Australian governments.
“If you want to get the best people, there is a competitive market and that’s where we operate,” Lord Mayor Schrinner told this imprint on Thursday.
“Kerrie Freeman is absolutely fantastic, she does a fantastic job and I know she is focused on giving value for taxpayers money and she is doing that.
“I inherited this situation where the CEO is paid much more than the mayor. As long as we get results, that’s fine – as long as we get the taxpayers’ money’s worth – and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy wasn’t so sure the status quo was a good deal for residents.
“You know, as people struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis, you see wages rising and services falling, and you find out that council bureaucrats are making money. [those sums]”Questions will be asked,” he said.
“People will wonder if they got their money’s worth.”
Brisbane City Council has more than 7000 employees and an annual budget of over $4 billion.
Queensland councilors’ salaries are determined by independent commissions.
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