Public Sector Workforce Rejuvenation Scheme

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:19): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question to the Treasurer on the topic of the Public Service rejuvenation scheme.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS: In June this year, the Treasurer announced the public sector rejuvenation scheme. This offers an incentive, for those who have had service of 10 years or more in our public sector, of $50,000 to leave the public sector and, if they have served for less than 10 years, some $25,000 to leave the public sector. That scheme concludes at the end of this month.

1. Can the Treasurer update how many public servants have availed themselves of that scheme and left the Public Service?

2. What has been the amount of those $50,000 and $25,000 payments to date?

3. What departments have they left the Public Service from?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (15:21): I am happy to take the detail of that question on notice and provide an answer to the honourable member. There has been, I am advised, significant interest in the scheme from members of the Public Service in availing themselves of the scheme.

My recollection is that I have been asked to extend the scheme in one area in particular—I think it is in relation to education. There are particular benefits for providing it to members of that department in terms of the start of the new school year as opposed to just before the school holidays, evidently, on my recollection. My recollection is I have approved the extension of the scheme for that particular department in that particular area. But I am happy to gather whatever information we can and provide some response to the honourable member.

The PRESIDENT: Before calling on the business of the day, can I indicate to members that the well-regarded member of the catering staff, Mr Christian Tanchot, is about to celebrate his 60^th birthday in the coming days. I invite members to respond to him on that milestone when they see him in the building.