Prasad Rajen: Governor-General Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
Prasad Rajen: Governor-General Bill — Instruction to Committee In Committee 
[Volume:668;Page:14800] 
Dr RAJEN PRASAD (Labour) 
: 
 There are a few more points that I want to make on Part 1 of the Governor-General Bill and I express my delight at some of the provisions in it. Clause 7 needs some explanation and the Minister in the chair Phil Heatley might like take a call to explain it in a little more detail. There has been reference in the  
Dominion Post 
 to the provision paying a lump sum to the Governor-General after leaving office 
.  
At the current time the amount paid on leaving office is equivalent to 3 months’ salary. This legislation extends that amount to 6 months’ salary to make it equivalent to the original amount allowing for the introduction of taxation on the Governor-General’s salary. There has been some cynical reference in the  
Dominion Post  
to that increase because the increase from 3 months’ salary to 6 months’ salary equates to a taxation rate of 50 percent. Perhaps the Minister in the chair might like to explain that a little. 
Clause 9 talks about an annuity for a spouse or partner of former Governors-General 
when they leave office. I think that is a particularly important provision. God forbid that a Governor-General dies in office but if that happens it is good to know that clause 9 makes provision for an annuity that would take care of the spouse. A spouse of a Governor-General having a position of that type with much exposure and very little else to return to requires that type of protection as well. 
The annuity paid to the Governor-General is also well reflected here and the provisions are appropriate. People might want to consider why it is important to have clause 10 which addresses the fact that a Governor-General may lose superannuation rights accrued elsewhere. Perhaps the Minister in the chair might like to explain that provision a little. I understand that if a Governor-General has superannuation rights prior to becoming the Governor-General those rights may be affected in the future as a result of taking up the position. So there should be no loss in those rights and it requires some special provision. Clause 10 makes sure that there is no financial loss to the Governor-General in respect of superannuation rights gathered somewhere else through extensive service in a different capacity. So clause 10 takes care of that. 
Clause 12 makes permanent appropriations for salary allowances and annuities. It regularises this and brings in the final element that is important to have in place with a stand-alone bill of this nature with all of those provisions. 
The role of a Governor-General such as it is requires a special person with an extensive background who will not have the ability to return to normal life if you like. It is very satisfying to see that the provisions of Part 1 are so clearly stated and take care of a number of the demands of the role. Part 1 addresses what the Governor-General forfeits in taking up the role which in this case he will not be able to return to. Therefore the provisions in Part 1 are appropriate for that particular purpose. 
Just to underscore again the one satisfying part for me is the way in which the Governor-General’s family is defined in modern terms. The provisions around the spouse are also appropriate. With those words I conclude my comments on Part 1.