The Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salaries Review Board Final Report August 2024 was generated by an independent body, comprised of representatives appointed following consultations with the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Leader of the Opposition.
It is important to underscore that once appointed, this board operates autonomously and reaches its conclusions without any direction from the Government. This is appropriate and ensures that sitting MPs are not involved in shaping the recommendations.
The law requires this Committee to be formed to report its recommendations to the House, as it has done. While I find some aspects of the Report to be deeply flawed, we have an obligation to review and consider their recommendations as guided by law.
Among my initial concerns are the recommended increases disproportionately favour the Premier and the Speaker of the House. I can state unequivocally that I do not support the recommended increase in the salary of the Premier, and I believe that any cost of living adjustment should be across the board for all officers and members.
While Bermuda's economy is showing remarkable signs of improvement, the government's priority remains improving the lives of Bermudians who have not yet fully benefited from this economic growth. To alleviate the cost of living situation overall, this Government has increased senior pensions, reduced taxes for 86% of Bermudians, frozen the price of fuel, cut energy taxes by 60%, built nearly 100 affordable homes and increased the daycare allowance.
As government finances improve, we have invested $25 million in our youth, our families, our seniors, our community, and our infrastructure.