The JEP has learned that the idea is being discussed privately and has not yet made it onto a Council of Ministers agenda, but there is believed to be support for salaries of up to £70,000 a year – £30,000 more than ordinary States Members receive each year.
Economic Development Minister Philip Ozouf hopes to add the issue of pay to the States agenda when the Assembly reviews how ministerial government is working in October.
He will seek to overturn a previous decision to make all Members’ pay the same, irrespective of position.
Supporters of different pay levels point to the fact that Jersey’s government is rare in not paying its ministers more and that their workload and responsibility is far greater than rank-and-file Members.
Senator Ozouf says that even in Communist Russia, politicians were not all paid the same.
‘No other jurisdiction pays its Chief Minister the same as its backbenchers,’ he said.
‘I love my job but it is hard work.
I put in 70 to 80 hours a week and I am not complaining, but the salary I earn would not attract other 30-somethings who are professional and hardworking to take the risk of entering politics.
I am held to account through scrutiny panels and through questions without notice in the States, and if I am not performing, I will get the sack,’ he said.
