Members of Government boards and committees will get a 100 percent pay increase for attending meetings, after 35 years without a pay rise.

The Senate approved a Government Authorities (Fees) Amendment Order 2006. Sen. Raymond Tannock told the Senate that currently members of boards and committees receive $25 to $50 for every meeting they attend and that the amount has not changed in nearly four decades.

?Surely it is time to redress this oversight,? he said. ?The civic minded men and women of our community who are appointed to Government boards and committees spend countless hours assisting Ministers of Government and Government Departments in discharging their duties and responsibilities.

Currently a Chairman of a board or committee receives $50 while members receive $25 for each meeting. The amendments mean that Chairmen will earn $100 while committee and board members will earn $50. Opposition Senators did not object to the amendments. The new fee structure will be effective as of April 1, 2006.