Multiple top leaders at the Kosciuszko National Park energy venture shared over three-quarters of a million dollars in short-term incentives tied to various corporate metrics. In contrast, the company's chief executive Dennis Barnes bypassed his own bonus while earning a base salary exceeding $1.8m. Leadership payments also drew attention at CSIRO, where the sole senior executive bonus was approved following extensive redundancy initiatives that cost tens of millions of dollars.
Key points
Senior leadership incentives at Snowy Hydro proceeded despite the primary project facing…: Senior leadership incentives at Snowy Hydro proceeded despite the primary project facing a projected taxpayer cost of up to $25bn.
Chief executive Dennis Barnes waived his short-term incentive payment while drawing an an…: Chief executive Dennis Barnes waived his short-term incentive payment while drawing an annual base pay greater than $1.8m.
Doug Hilton was the only top executive at CSIRO granted a salary-at-risk bonus as the age…: Doug Hilton was the only top executive at CSIRO granted a salary-at-risk bonus as the agency moved to stabilize headcount.
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Executives at the troubled Snowy Hydro company collectively banked bonuses worth a combined $751,925 in the last financial year, despite its renewable energy project blowing out to 12 times its original cost.
But Guardian Australia can reveal chief executive, Dennis Barnes, who has a base salary of $1,845,126, opted not to accept the extra cash.
The company’s chief financial officer, Kim Josling, who has a pay packet worth $828,839, received a $215,440 bonus, according to the company’s annual report for the 2025-2026 financial year.
Its chief operating officer, Maia Schweizer, received a base salary of $1,050,503, and pocketed a $255,570 bonus, while chief commercial officer, Gordon Wymer, who has a base salary of $1,142,268, took home a $280,915 bonus.
The company’s long-delayed renewable energy project, Snowy Hydro 2.0, will not be completed until the end of the decade and is expected to cost taxpayers as much as $25bn.
It was first put forward in 2017 by the Turnbull government and came with an original price tag of $2bn, but the project in the Kosciuszko national park has climbed in cost.
Record voter participation among Palestinian citizens of Israel secured them 19 parliamentary seats following intense existential fears sparked by the war in Gaza. However, this historic political mobilization occurred against a backdrop of severe hostility, including campaign platforms advocating for the expulsion of Arab citizens. The climate was further intensified by mainstream political leaders using public messaging to isolate minorities and challenge the legitimacy of their votes.
Justices are stepping in after lower courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the protest group was lawfully designated as a terrorist organization under counterterrorism legislation. The outcome will decide the legal boundaries between political dissent and national security, following nationwide civil unrest and thousands of public arrests. Part of the two-day appeal will take place in secret to examine sensitive evidence.
Justices are stepping in after lower courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the protest group was lawfully designated as a terrorist organization under counterterrorism legislation. The outcome will decide the legal boundaries between political dissent and national security, following nationwide civil unrest and thousands of public arrests. Part of the two-day appeal will take place in secret to examine sensitive evidence.