No extra pay for States Ministers

Wednesday 17th January 2007, 12:00AM GMT.

AN attempt to lift the law guaranteeing equal pay for States Members was narrowly defeated yesterday.

Members voted by 28 votes to 23 to reject a proposition from Privileges and Procedures to rescind article 44 of the States of Jersey Law. The decision blocked a proposed review into higher pay for ministers, pensions for States Members and settlement packages for politicians who lose their seats. The Council of Ministers were backing Privileges’ plan to ask the independent States remuneration panel to do a full review of how States Members are rewarded, and all ten ministers voted in favour of the proposal – provoking sarcastic applause from the other side of the House. Several Members – including Senator Jim Perchard and Deputy Judy Martin – argued that a review of pay and pensions for States Members should not be a high priority.

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