LOO Tracy Panton Criticises Briceño Administration for Salary Increases Without Approved Budget

Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has heavily criticised the Briceño Administration over the newly approved salary hike for CEOs and the Cabinet Secretary, calling the move “alarming” as the country operates without an approved national budget.

Panton stated on social media, “As we await the reading of the budget for this current fiscal year, the Cabinet Secretary is giving himself and the members of the CEO Caucus a hefty salary increase.”

Panton’s remarks stem from the pay adjustments, revealed in a government memo dated 28 March, which were approved with retroactive effect from 13 March—just days after the 2025 general election.

Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie’s annual salary now rises to $96,000, while CEOs will receive $88,000, up from $76,000, which is a 15.7% jump.

Panton told News 5 that this pay adjustment has come during a time that frontline public workers continue to operate under poor conditions, and some have even been let go without a full audit.

“This is being done at a time when we don’t have an approved budget, when the government continues to operate with unauthorised spending at this time. Our fiscal year ended on March 31st. We should have in place by now a budget that was read, and approved and debated – that is not the case,” she said.

Panton added that she is only aware, as much as the public, that Prime Minister John Briceño intends to present the budget for debate until mid-May.

“While you should be compensated certainly for your experience and expertise and what you bring to the table, your first duty and responsibility is to the people. And so when you enter public service, you enter understanding that you cannot be paid a private sector rate because we have to live within a budget that will be hopefully focused on delivering services to people. We serve the people; the people don’t serve us,” Panton told News 5.