The Mercury
24 Nov 2011

The state’s port operator recorded a 67 per cent slump in profits last year.

The TasPorts annual report said operating profits were down to $433,000 from $1.4 million last year and $5.2 million the year before.

Chairman Dan Norton blamed a tough trading environment including less demand for woodchip exports.

TASMANIAN PORTS CORPORATION PTY LTD

Chairman ($75,217 a year): Dan Norton
Directors ($37,609 a year):
Jane Bennett, Barry Berwick,
Bruce McGowan, Margaret O’Rourke,
Evan Rolley and Owen Williams.
Total board salaries: $300,871

Meanwhile, ABC Online:

The Tasmanian Opposition’s questioned why two ousted Labor MPs have held the top job with the building industry’s portable long service leave scheme

A Parliamentary Committee has recommended the Tasbuild scheme be wound up in the next 12 months, citing rising costs for employers.

Some who were paying $115 a month in 2008, are now facing a monthly bill of nearly $900.

It also found the scheme increases building costs in Tasmania when it’s losing money.

Chairman Rene Hidding says the while the Committee formed no view about board members, the Liberals have questions.

He says Graeme Sturges was the Chairman until his re-election to parliament and the position is now held by ousted Labor MLC, Lin Thorp.

“The singular job as the chair of such a trust is to manage around $40 million worth of cash to a point where you can keep the compulsory levies down very low,” he said.

“I’d have to question why it is that former Labor Ministers that have lost their jobs fall into the Chairman of that role, it’s a paid role of course.”

The former Chairman Graeme Sturges did not want to comment on the Committee’s report.

…

The Workplace Relations Minister David O’Byrne says the positions were publicly advertised and decided independently of Government.

Full story, ABC Online HERE