Legislative Council Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2) 54 2 Parliament of South Australia Legislative Council published Question Time Public Sector Employees Public Sector Employees The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY Legislative Council Public Sector Employees The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (14:52): Supplementary question: Treasurer, for those casual employees within the public sector who normally work right throughout the year, 48 or 50 weeks of the year, in particular swimming instructors, who are now off and not getting paid because swimming centres and the like are closed, will that leave be taken as a break in service, which would impact on their long service leave, or would that long service leave be protected due to the fact that this is through no fault of their own and it is all regarding the COVID-19 pandemic? The Hon. R.I. LUCAS Legislative Council Public Sector Employees The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:53): I would need to take that question on notice and bring back a reply. As I have said in response to questions which are directed to this particular cohort of workers, casual workers by their very nature are employed on a casual basis. They have no ongoing connection in terms of permanent ongoing employment with the government as a public sector employer. Their remuneration package is geared towards that end. They are paid a slightly higher amount, but their benefits are reduced because they are not deemed to be full-time, ongoing employees in the Public Service. When they are employed as casuals, they understand that. Indeed, their union representatives understand that as well because they have lobbied the former government for many years for changes and the former government made no changes. I am sure they will continue to lobby this current government as well. In relation to the specific issues about swimming instructors and long service leave entitlements, I will take that particular specific question on notice.