Governor-General's salary

On 29 January 2009, at the request of the Governor-General, the Clerk of the Executive Council, Rebecca Kitteridge, wrote to the Remuneration Authority. She advised that the Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, wished to forgo a salary increase this year.

The Governor-General has now been advised that the Authority has decided to increase his salary.  The new determination has been gazetted today (Thursday 26 March 2009).

The Governor-General is not questioning how the Remuneration Authority reached its determination, and accepts the outcome.  In light of his wish to receive no salary increase, however, he has decided to return the amount of the increase to the Crown accounts.  This follows the precedent, set in the past by other recipients of increases during difficult economic times, who have elected either to give the amount of the increase to charity or to return it to the Crown. The Governor-General's decision will ensure that no additional costs are imposed on the Crown.

For more information, contact Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Officer, 04 382 0827 or 021 470 583