Veterans' Affairs

121 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (12 August 2014). (First Session) In reference to 2014-15 Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 107, Program 4: Veterans' Affairs—

What is the current status of war service sick leave being made available for state public servants and how does it impact on existing leave entitlements?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs): I have been advised:

War service disability leave is available in addition to the normal sick leave entitlement provided by the Public Sector Act 2009 (the PS Act), the Public Sector Regulations 2010 and Commissioner's Determination 3.1: Employment Conditions – Leave.

The following information is extracted from Commissioner's Determination 3.1: Employment Conditions – Leave:

Eligibility

Special leave with pay for war service disability leave may be granted to employees who served with the Australian Defence Forces and who are absent because of a disability accepted by the Department of Veterans Affairs:

as a war-caused injury or war-caused disease as defined under the Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986 (Cth); or

as a service injury or service disease arising from warlike service or non-warlike service as defined under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (Cth) (the MRCA Act).

For the purposes of this determination, peacetime operations as defined under the MRCA Act are not recognised as warlike or non-warlike service for the purposes of war service disability leave.