Portable long service leave for the community services sector

UPDATE AS OF 1 October 2009.

VCOSS and representatives of the VCOSS Portable Long Service Leave (PLSL) Working Group met with Minister Neville this afternoon for a briefing on the progress of the PLSL scheme.

The Minister advised us that the Government has decided to delay the introduction of the PLSL legislation (originally scheduled for the spring session of parliament) to the autumn session in 2010. This delay will enable the Government to work closely with the community services sector and unions over the next three to four months to develop a more viable scheme.

An independent consultant will be engaged to provide an assessment of the business impact of the scheme. The sector will have input into the terms of reference for the consultant and a reference group will be established.

As you may be aware, VCOSS, along with many other peaks and CSOs, have been advocating for a delay to the legislation to allow more time to consider the key issues – administrative complexity, cost impact and scope. VCOSS welcomes the new approach offered today, as this gives the sector, unions and government more time to work together to develop a sustainable PLSL scheme.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact Ministers and local members of parliament to raise issues of concern from your perspective.

Your work has contributed to today’s outcome. VCOSS looks forward to working with the Government to develop a sustainable and viable PLSL model for the community sector.

For further information please contact:

Cath Smith

Chief Executive Officer

T: 9654 5050 E: cath.smith@vcoss.org.au

Paula Grogan

Community Sector Sustainability Policy Coordinator, VCOSS

T: 9654 5050 E: paula.grogan@vcoss.org.au