Australia’s top 100 CEOs gross a 16 % pay rise; Husic warns Labor oniaan Gaza policy

Top 100 CEOs paid a median $4.8 million in 2025, analysis shows

Chief executives of Australia’s 100 largest companies earned a median realised pay of $4.8 million in the 2025 financial year, a 16 % increase from 2024, according to a new report from the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI). The figure includes reported salaries, bonuses, vested shares and other payments.

ACSI’s analysis covered the entire 12‑year period of CEO remuneration data for ASX‑listed companies. The 2025 median is the highest recorded to date. Two Australian‑based CEOs earned over $30 million – Macquarie Group chief executive Shemara Wikramanayake and Goodman Group boss Greg Goodman – a level not seen in 2024.

The average realised pay for all 100 CEOs was $6 million. While the top three earners concluded the year with $47.7 million for Life360 founder Chris Hulls, the median remains substantially below 2012 levels, ACSI’s Louise Davidson noted. She added that the sector’s fixed pay rose 4 % to a median of $1.83 million, though bonuses were a key driver of the overall increase.

ACSI reported that the pay gap between the highest‑paid CEOs and the average Australian full‑time worker remained steady, with CEOs earning roughly 55 times the national average weekly earnings as of May 2025.

Husic Machinery..

Former cabinet minister and NSW Labor MP Ed Husic warned that if the party continues to respond to questions about Palestinian rights with what he called “fear and loathing,” it may lose voter support in a similar manner to the US Democratic Party. He said the party must allow “legitimate debate” on Gaza and the West Bank.

“Fear and loathing… is tearing the party apart.”

Husic delivered the remarks at a Labor Friends of Palestine event over the weekend, ahead of the party’s national conference in July. He added that the party should bring a dedicated federal police team to monitor dual Australian‑Israeli citizens travelling to the Middle East to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, to protect Australian interests.

While the party’s leadership has indicated a desire for a structured debate, Husic cautioned that stifling discussions could drive away members and supporters, as seen in U.S. politics.

Source link