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April 23rd, 2013 
SENIOR federal Labor staffers have been given a golden handshake worth up to $6000 each to stop them from jumping ship before the election.
In an admission the government is convinced it will most likely lose the election, about 400 ministerial staffers have been granted an extra two-week taxpayer-funded payout should Labor lose.
The doubling of the termination provisions for staff who lose their jobs following a federal election, will be worth between $3000 and $6000 each for staffers, depending on their seniority and salary.
A memo was sent to all staff yesterday from the office of Special Minister of State Mark Dreyfus notifying them of the surprise salary bonus.
Some staffers said they believed the golden handshake was approved to keep senior staff from quitting and finding other employment before the September 14 election.
Others said it was simply the government rewarding Labor staffers for their loyalty.
“I find it extraordinary. It is not only a curious way of trying to convince people to stay,” one senior government source said.
“It’s basically an admission we will lose the election. And its using taxpayers’ money to pay staffers off.”
The memo, which has been published on the government’s website, said the changes to the termination payment were made through a ministerial direction.
It means Labor staff working in ministerial offices will now receive a one-month termination payment should Labor lose the election.
At present, staffers who lose their jobs due to a federal election are provided a two-week termination payment, on top of whatever other entitlements they may have accrued.
It is seen as small compensation for staffers, who do not have access to the generous post parliamentary schemes afforded the ministers they work for – and recognition of the insecure nature of their jobs. The memo from Mr Dreyfus said: “I am pleased to advise that I have extended from two weeks to four weeks the deferral of the termination of employment for personal employees whose employment is terminated as a result of a federal election.
“The extended period applies to personal employees who would have previously had their termination of employment deferred for a period of two weeks, and only in circumstances where the employment is terminated as a result of a federal election.
“The extension has been given effect through direction 2013/4 – direction to defer the termination of employment (the direction).
“The direction also includes the arrangements provided under the previous standing direction in relation to deferral of termination of employment – direction 2007/31.”
A spokeswoman for Mr Dreyfus said the “settling out period” had been extended on most occasions since 2007.
“Because of additional processes surrounding the allocation and appointment of personal staff, arrangements are rarely settled within two weeks following an election or reshuffle. This determination formalises existing practice,” she said.
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