I refer to the Crown Employees (Public Sector - Salaries June, 1997) Award and the application of increases in salaries for staff in Ministers Offices.

Premiers Department has prepared schedules which identify staff that are affected by the above award movements and their new rates of pay and allowances. This schedule is attached in respect of your Ministerial Office. Also attached is the new rates of pay schedule for all classifications within Ministerial Offies. Should any discrepancies be identified between Host Agency payroll and details contained in a Ministers Office schedule, then Premiers Department should be notified as soon as possible.

This Circular authorises Host Agencies to pay the increases in salaries and allowances of 3% + 2% with effect from the first pay period to commence on or after 1 January 1999 and is subject to further conditions specified in the Public Sector Management Office, Premiers Department Circulars Nos 98-86, 98-29 and 98-39. The increases apply to A&C Grade l2 and below and determined salary rates previously not linked to SOORT increases.

The salary increases specified by the award give recognition to staff performance and productivity issues. Future applications for salary increases outside those specified by the award should be restricted to exceptional circumstances and strong supporting evidence will need to be submitted. Salary restraint is strongly encouraged.

It has also been noted that there has been some difficulty in the interpretation of remuneration payments to staff who are paid outside the award and who are on Total Remuneration Packages (TRPs). TRPs are packages similar to SES packages and are a total cost to employer. TRPs include salary, annual leave loading, employer contributions to superannuation and other benefits, e.g., motor vehicle. TRPs are generally linked to SOORT increases and not award increases.

Any enquiries should be directed to Kevin Hogan on (02) 9228 4738.

C Gellatly
Director-General