The purpose of this circular is to clarify the salary maintenance provisions for officers appointed under s33/34 of the PSMA to Ministers' Offices. This circular does not affect Special Temporary Employees employed under PART 2 DIVISION 5A of the PSMA.

The following procedures are designed to assist in the application of salary maintenance provisions contained in section 9 of the Ministerial Handbook (copy attached).

When an officer, temporarily appointed under s33 of the PSMA to a Minister's Office, returns to their substantive agency, the Premier's Department will advise the date of the officer's return, the reason for the return and whether the officer is entitled to salary maintenance under the provisions of the Ministerial Handbook.

The salary maintenance provisions only apply to public service officers temporarily appointed within a Minister's Office by Premier's Department and not to Departmental Liaison Officers (DLOs). DLOs remain employees of their respective portfolio agency.

Each agency will be required to fund the substantive salary and salary maintenance from within existing resources. Any enquiries on this matter should be directed to Peter Despinidic, Premier's Department on telephone: (02) 9228 3567.

Col Gellatly
Director General