In making a Determination, the Tribunal is required to consider [VIRTIPS Act, s. 24(2)]:
- any statement or policy issued by the Government of Victoria which is in force with respect to its wages policy (or equivalent) and the remuneration and allowances of any specified occupational group
- the financial position and fiscal strategy of the State of Victoria
- current and projected economic conditions and trends
- submissions received in relation to the proposed Determination.
The VIRTIPS Act also sets out several specific requirements that the Tribunal must meet in making its 2023 MP Determination. The Tribunal must [VIRTIPS Act, s. 17]:
- comprehensively review the existing salaries, additional salaries, work-related parliamentary allowances and other funding and superannuation and pension arrangements provided to MPs
- not set the basic salary at a rate that is higher than the basic salary for Members of the Parliament of the Commonwealth
- take into account the salary and allowances for, and the roles and responsibilities of, Members of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth, other States and the Territories
- take into account existing guidelines and rulings governing the use of work‑related parliamentary allowances and the EO&C Budget, including any relevant rulings by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- ensure that individual MPs are in an overall position that is no less favourable than the arrangements that are in place before the making of the Determination, taking into account the basic salary, additional salary, the EO&C Budget, work-related parliamentary allowances and superannuation and pension arrangements
- in setting the value of the electorate allowance, take into account that the purpose of the electorate allowance is for costs associated with MPs providing services to their constituents.
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