Full Service Benefits

For NG Public Servants

FURTHER amendments this time designed to assist the Papuan and Mandated Territory public servants —have been made to the National Secur ity (External Territories) Regulations.

When civil government was suspended in the Territories in early 1942, all those public servants of the two services who were over military age and did not go into the Army but were given appoint ments in the Commonwealth Depart ments in Australia, were informed that for the duration of said suspension, each three-year period of service in Australia would count only as two. The reason for this is not clear —unless it was designed to even up Territorian public servants’ conditions with those applying to Com monwealth public servants.

But whatever the reason, the Common wealth Government has now had a change of heart. In the new amend ment, issued March 14, 1945, by paying up all back superannuation contributions (“suspended” public servants, not in the Army, have been paying 2/3 usual rate of contribution, during this period) are entitled to full length of service and superannuation benefits.