You bet we need an ICAC & we need it now

TAXPAYERS paid the Premier's chief of staff Nick Alexandrides about $80,000 more than the Government reported in its yearly salary reports.

In evidence given to the Budget and Finance committee this week, Department of Premier and Cabinet chief executive Chris Eccles confirmed Mr Alexandrides' total remuneration package was between $250,000-$259,000, rather than the $175,201 reported in the Government gazette.

Government spokeswoman Jill Bottrall said the approximate $80,000 difference could be attributed to "on-costs" such as employer superannuation fund contributions, but was unable to provide a breakdown.

"It would account for all costs associated with his employment including salary, the cost of the non-monetary benefits and superannuation and other on-costs," she said.

"This is a standard public sector accounting requirement."

Ms Bottrall said superannuation benefits were not considered a "monetary benefit".

"Nick doesn't receive superannuation payments.

"He pays into the fund, and the department makes a contribution.

"That's how superannuation works," she said.

Opposition finance spokesman Rob Lucas said the Government's failure to include the extra benefits appeared to be a breach of the Public Sector Act.

"The bottom line is they are required to reveal the detailed remuneration in the Gazette (and) the Act clearly defines remuneration as salary, allowances and other monetary benefits," he said.

"It is quite clear that remuneration includes monetary benefits and monetary benefits includes superannuation."

Mr Lucas said the Liberal Party had been told Mr Alexandrides received superannuation payments of $45,000 a year - a figure that was unable to be confirmed by the Government yesterday.

"This (the amount) is information that we just don't keep or have access to in this office," Ms Bottrall said.

The $45,000 would equate to about 26 per cent - 17 per cent higher than public servants' superannuation rate.

Mr Lucas said he had also been informed that Ms Jill Bottrall, who is one of Mike Rann's key media advisers, had received a total remuneration package of up to $25,000 higher than the gazetted figure of $155,733.

Asked to confirm the figure yesterday, Ms Bottrall did not respond.

Mr Lucas said failing to include superannuation benefits in the gazetted amount meant other employees could be receiving generous super contributions without the public knowing.

-Source Adelaide Advertiser 20.10.2010