The treasury call the shots overall, they set public pay awards, they tell the AFPRB what there is to deal out, have the AFPRB ever stood up to the treasury?
I put this to the AFPRB when they visited the unit I was at a few years ago, they got very angry (in a polite and academic way) and we were left in no doubt as to their independence. I agree with CH and AA I was left with the impression that they were a very honest, thorough, knowledgable and deligent group of ladies and gentlemen. On the subject of their knowledge I seem to remember one of them predicting the current economic climate as well...
On balance I'm quite happy with what we get paid, its the lack of personnel thats the problem.