Question Time AU

Bill Debate · Second Reading

Remuneration Tribunal Amendment (There For Public Service, Not Profit) Bill 2025, Tertiary Education Legislation Amendment (There for Education, Not Profit) Bill 2025; Second Reading

Senate · Wednesday 5 February 2025

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Jacqui Lambie introduced two bills aimed at capping the remuneration of senior public servants and university vice-chancellors at $430,000 per annum. She argued that current salaries were excessive, lacked transparency, and were disconnected from the financial realities of ordinary Australians. The legislation sought to impose statutory limits subject to parliamentary disallowance and administrative sanctions for non-compliance. The debate was adjourned after the second reading speech was delivered.

Outcome

The debate was adjourned after leave was granted for the senator to continue remarks later.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Jacqui Lambie (TAS) (Jacqui Lambie Network) JLN

Senator Lambie supported the bills, arguing they would curb excessive entitlements at the top of the Commonwealth bureaucracy and universities. Lambie contended that departmental secretaries and vice-chancellors earned significantly more than the Prime Minister and other ministers, with some exceeding $1 million annually. Lambie proposed a statutory cap of $430,000 for these roles, asserting this amount was reasonable and proportionate to their responsibilities. The senator emphasized that variations to this limit would require political accountability and parliamentary approval.