Originally Posted by
Stuff
Are you sure about that? Didn't a previous head of AFPRB resign over this exact point.
As I understand it the AFPRB can only recommend an award within the range that Govt has told them is affordable. If it were truly independant it could recommend, say 6% and then have the Govt cap it at 1%. Since this would make the Govt look bad they aren't allowed to do this.
Edit: It wasn't a resignation after all. It was Prof Alasdair Smith in 2013 that I was thinking of. He was fired for daring to suggest a 1.5% rise when Govt had told him 1% was the limit.
Smith not sacked or resigned. Appointment not extended for second term by coalition Govt, something they did for pretty much all incumbent independent body Chiefs appointed by the last Labour Govt.