13858 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for the Environment

13858 (2026). Camilla Belich to the Minister for the Environment: What fee increases have been proposed or approved since 27 November 2023 for any chair, deputy chair, member, presiding member, or other appointed role on any Crown entity board, committee, authority, tribunal, or other statutory body within their ministerial portfolio, broken down by (a) the name of the entity and the specific role; (b) the fee (annual, daily, or per-meeting rate as applicable) immediately prior to the increase and the date that fee was last set; (c) the new approved fee and the effective date of the increase; (d) the percentage increase; (e) whether the increase was approved by them as the responsible minister or referred to the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee, and if the latter, the date of that approval; (f) whether the increase was made pursuant to the Cabinet Fees Framework changes of July 2025 or on another basis; (g) the primary justification recorded for the increase; (h) whether the proposed increase was approved, declined, or scaled back, and if declined or scaled back, the reasons recorded for that decision; (i) whether any part of the increase was applied backdated and if so to what date; (j) the total annual cost to the Crown of all increases approved within their portfolio; and (k) whether each review was initiated by them as the responsible minister, the entity itself, or the Public Service Commission?

Hon Nicola Grigg: I have interpreted this question as seeking information, as set out in parts (a) to (k), on fee increases proposed or approved for statutory bodies within my Environment portfolio since 27 November 2023. Since that date, one fee increase has been approved within my portfolio for the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Board. (a) The increase applied to the Environmental Protection Authority Board Chair, Deputy Chair, and members. (b) Prior to the increase, fees were set at: • Chair: $53,000 per annum • Deputy Chair: $33,125 per annum • Members: $26,500 per annum These fees were approved on 23 August 2023 and took effect from 4 September 2023. At that time, the EPA Board held a standing exception to the Cabinet Fees Framework. (c) The new approved fees are: • Chair: $96,700 per annum • Deputy Chair: $60,375 per annum • Members: $48,300 per annum The increases were approved on 30 October 2025 and took effect from 1 December 2025. (d) The increases represented an uplift of approximately 82 percent. (e) The increases were approved by my predecessor as the responsible Minister. They were not referred to the Cabinet Appointments and Honours Committee, in line with current processes and guidance. (f) The increase was made pursuant to the Cabinet Fees Framework changes of July 2025. (g) The primary justification recorded for the increase was that the EPA was reclassified as a Group 3a level 3 body following an increase in its budget and changes to its functions. Setting fees at the top of the level 3 band was intended to support the attraction and retention of suitably qualified board members, given the complexity of the role and the high level of public interest in the EPA’s work. (h) The proposed increases were approved as recommended by officials. (i) The increases were not backdated. (j) The total annual cost to the Crown resulting from these approved fee increases for the Environmental Protection Authority Board is $179,950. (k) The fee review was initiated by my predecessor on the recommendation of officials.