PM Transcripts

, U ST R LIA Press Statement No. 69
3 April 1973
FURLOUGH LONG SERVICE LEAVE
Cabinet today decided that the basic qualification
period for furlough in Australian Government employment
will be reduced from 15 to 10 years.
Pro rata furlough entitlement shall be payable to
officers and employees on cessation after 5 years of service,
providing that in cases where employment ceased through
death, ill health, retrenchment or retirement on account of
age, pro rata furlough entitlements shall be payable after
one year of service.
The accrual rate for furlough shall be three
months for the first 10 years' service and half-a-month
for each year thereafter.
For the purpose of assessing the increased rates
of accrual, ' service' will be calculated retrospectively
to the date of commencing employment.
Those now employed who have taken furlough will
be granted their total furlough entitlement under the new
provisions, less the period of furlough granted.
Furlough will be availableto all employees
including part-time employees and full-time employees employed
for only part of each year.
Officers and employees who had or have the necessary
service with the Commonwealth on or after 1 January 1973
shall be entitled to the new furlough entitlements regardless
of whether they left its service before the passage of the
amending legislation. Commonwealth staff who have transferred from Local
Government bodies will enjoy the same furlough rights as
are now enjoyed by staff who transferred from State Government
into the Commonwealth Public Service.
Legislation will be introduced as soon as possible
to extend the new provisions to all Australian Government
employees.
CANBERRA, A. C. T.