Huge pay hikes for Australian judges

The Australian reports the Remuneration Tribunal has confirmed federal judges\' pay has risen for the seventh time in three years, boosting the salary of High Court Chief Justice Murray Gleeson by $15 000 to $382 110. Retired judges will also secure a pension boost, because more than 200 retired federal judges have qualified for a life pension of 60% of a judge\'s salary. The pay rises will deliver a salary boost to judges of the High Court, Federal Court, Family Court, Native Title Tribunal, Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Australian Law Reform Commission. Full report in The Australian

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has backed the salary hikes, warning that any moves by the states to limit judges\' pay rises could damage their ability to attract quality candidates. The Australian reports Chief Justice Paul de Jersey has also defended judges\' pay. Their comments came in response to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie\'s complaints that he was powerless to stop the latest 8.5% increase for judges which he regarded as ‘too much’. Ruddock cautioned the states from breaking with the inter-governmental agreement that determines judges\' pay parity. ‘Mr Beattie would need to give careful consideration to the consequences of such a move for Queensland in diminishing their ability to attract the best and high-quality judges to their benches,’ he said. Full report in The Australian