I understand and endorse the principles that underpin the Cabinet fees framework. It ensures consistency of fees-setting across a broad range of judicial and statutory officers, as well as other bodies in which the Crown has an interest. Some of the judicial and statutory officers administered by the Ministry of Justice will continue to have their remuneration determined under the framework. I consider these officers require a lesser degree of independence from Government than the officers that this bill is transferring to the Remuneration Authority. I consider judicial and quasi-judicial officers who make decisions in courts, and in directly comparable bodies, need to be, and to be seen to be, independent from any potential for interference in their decision making by the executive. Similarly, officers who hear appeals against decisions of Government Ministers need a greater degree of independence from the executive to ensure that they are, and are seen to be, independent of the Government and unable to be influenced through their remuneration to favour the Government.