TONY Abbott has slammed a doubling of the termination provisions for political staffers in the lead up to the September election saying the Labor party is rewarding its employees with a "taxpayer funded handout" that should not happen.

As Julia Gillard claimed the salary bonuses were not a golden handshake to prevent Labor staffers from jumping ship before a likely poll defeat, the Opposition Leader said the extra two-week payout was another sign the Labor party had no respect for Australian taxpayers.

"This is another sign of the Labor party’s contempt for taxpayers," Mr Abbott said.

"It’s just not on and it shouldn’t be happening."

Mr Abbott said claims from Special Minister of State Mark Dreyfus that the boost from the current two-week payment, which would result in an extra $3000 to $6000 for staffers based on their salary and seniority, had happened before were wrong.

"Mark Dreyfus QC should know better," Mr Abbott said.

"The fact is that this hasn’t happened before. It was rushed through by a ministerial direction because Labor staffers want to secure a handout for themselves in the face of an election defeat."

Ms Gillard this morning said the payments were not just for Labor staffers and would benefit all employees of politicians, including the Coalition.

"This is a determination for all staff that work for politicians, so all staff and it’s a determination about an amount of time that people have to make an election about whether they will stay or whether they will go," Ms Gillard told ABC local radio in Rockhampton.

"So that’s it, it’s a simple normal procedure that has happened in the past."

The Daily Telegraph this morning revealed about 400 ministerial staffers would get the boost – worth between $3000 and $6000 each, depending on seniority and salary.

A memo was sent to all staff yesterday from the office of Special Minister of State Mark Dreyfus notifying them of the surprise salary bonus.

The move even stunned government insiders with one saying it was "basically an admission we will lose the election".

At present, staffers who lose their jobs due to a federal election are provided a two-week termination payment, on top of whatever other entitlements they may have accrued.

"I find it extraordinary. It is not only a curious way of trying to convince people to stay," one senior government source said.

"It's basically an admission we will lose the election. And its using taxpayers' money to pay staffers off."

The memo, which has been published on the government's website, said the changes to the termination payment were made through a ministerial direction.

It means Labor staff working in ministerial offices will now receive a one-month termination payment should Labor lose the election.

At present, staffers who lose their jobs due to a federal election are provided a two-week termination payment, on top of whatever other entitlements they may have accrued.

It is seen as small compensation for staffers, who do not have access to the generous post parliamentary schemes afforded the ministers they work for - and recognition of the insecure nature of their jobs. The memo from Mr Dreyfus said: "I am pleased to advise that I have extended from two weeks to four weeks the deferral of the termination of employment for personal employees whose employment is terminated as a result of a federal election.

"The extended period applies to personal employees who would have previously had their termination of employment deferred for a period of two weeks, and only in circumstances where the employment is terminated as a result of a federal election.

"The extension has been given effect through direction 2013/4 - direction to defer the termination of employment (the direction).

"The direction also includes the arrangements provided under the previous standing direction in relation to deferral of termination of employment - direction 2007/31."

A spokeswoman for Mr Dreyfus said the "settling out period" had been extended on most occasions since 2007.

"Because of additional processes surrounding the allocation and appointment of personal staff, arrangements are rarely settled within two weeks following an election or reshuffle. This determination formalises existing practice," she said.