Valuer General 2003

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STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICES REMUNERATION TRIBUNAL

Report and Determination: Valuer General.

REPORT:

Background:

On 28 August 2003 the Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Bob Carr MP, directed the Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Tribunal (SOORT), pursuant to section 14(2) of the Statutory and Other Offices Remuneration Act 1975 (the Act), to make a determination concerning the remuneration to be paid to the Valuer General.

The Valuer General is listed in Schedule 1 of the Act but receives a remuneration package pursuant to section 11A of the Act. This means that all employer on costs are included within the total package amount. For remuneration purposes the office was originally included in the SES Level 5 remuneration range.

Section 11A Office Holders are statutory appointees who exercise independent statutory functions and some of whom also have CEO type responsibilities. These office holders were nominated by the Premier, pursuant to Section 11A of the Act to have access to remuneration packaging identical to the SES. Unlike the SES however, their employment status is governed by legislation specific to each office and they are not subject to annual performance appraisal. The Tribunal considers that Recruitment and Retention Allowances are not appropriate for this Group.

The Tribunal has been advised that the position and role of the Valuer General was the subject of two separate inquiries (the Nile Inquiry on Land Tax in 1998 and the Walton Inquiry in 1999) following criticism of the Valuer General, his office and the State Valuation Office (SVO) in their roles in determining land values for the Eastern suburbs in 1997 and later years. As stated in the Government's letter, these criticisms,

impacted on the credibility of the SVO and numerous valuers working for the SVO and the Valuer General's office since 1996. This includes a number of people who applied for the position of Valuer General when it was advertised earlier this year. In light of the criticism it was considered that the selection of any applicant who had worked in the Valuer General's office or the SVO at any time from 1996 until now, would be subject to considerable criticism."

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The Tribunal has been advised that following extensive advertising Mr Philip Western, a resident of New Zealand has been appointed to the position following a merit selection process. Because of his skills qualifications and experience the Government considers that the remuneration for the Office should be increased by $26,000 which represents the level of Recruitment Allowance for SES Level 5.

Consideration

The Government believes that in Mr Philip Western, it has attracted the superior and most highly qualified candidate for the position with the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to lead the reform process.

In addition to the normal responsibilities of the office the he new Valuer General will have significantly increased responsibilities for implementing major reform of the valuation system in New South Wales. The system at present has been the subject of on going criticism in the general community. The principal task of the new Valuer General will be to restore integrity, transparency and stability to the system of land valuation in New South Wales.

This will make the office of Valuer General one of the most important positions in the NSW public sector. For this reason the Tribunal considers an increase in the remuneration of this office is warranted in accordance with the Determination hereunder.

Statutory and Other Offices

Remuneration Tribunal

Gerry Gleeson

Dated: 29 August 2003

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DETERMINATION

Pursuant to section14 of the Act the Tribunal determines that the remuneration package for the Valuer General shall be $230,640pa on and from 1 September 2003:

Statutory and Other Offices

Remuneration Tribunal

Gerry Gleeson

Dated: 29 August 2003