THE state government is spending at least $6 million a year paying hundreds of people to sit on more than 130 boards, advisory bodies and taskforces.
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A list tabled in State Parliament yesterday revealed the names and remuneration for every member of the government-run panels.
The $6 million figure was calculated from the lists of annual fees but does not include the cost of positions where remuneration is based on a daily or sessional rate.
Six positions are worth more than $100,000, two of which are held by former state Treasury boss Don Challen. Mr Challen is chairman of power distributor Transend and the Tasmanian Public Finance Corporation, earning $105,300 for each.
He is also chairman of the Motor Accidents Insurance Board ($75,000) and a trustee of the Retirement Benefits Fund ($35,100).
That takes his total pay packet to more than $300,000.
Tourism Tasmania and TasRail chairman Bob Annells is the next big earner. Including his salary for a role on the Tasmanian Development Board, he gets $160,000 a year.
Denis Rogers is paid $75,000 for chairing the board of TT-Line, which operates the Spirit of Tasmania ferries. He also gets $50,000 as chairman of the Tasmanian Development Board.
Power company Hydro's chairman is one of the highest-paid individual positions at $105,000 and is held by former treasurer David Crean.
Energy retailer Aurora pays its chairman, John Hasker, the same salary.
Forestry Tasmania chairman Adrian Kloeden collects $101,742, while the rest of his board team are paid $47,000.
The list includes many prominent Tasmanians serving in paid and volunteer roles. Former premier Michael Field, Australian Nurses Federation secretary Neroli Ellis and Unions Tasmania boss Kevin Harkins hold paid positions.
Former premier Jim Bacon's wife Honey Bacon earns $3600 as a trustee of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens Board.
Most boards and councils include public servants, but they do not receive the entitlement on top of their normal salaries.