LAND AT POINT NEPEAN HANDED FROM COMMONWEALTH TO STATE GOVERNMENT

The Commonwealth has transferred 205 hectares of former Defence land at Point Nepean to the Victorian Government for inclusion in the Point Nepean National Park.  The Commonwealth has signed the relevant documents and transmitted them to the Victorian Government.  The Victorian Government registered the title with their State Land Titles office on April 6.The immediate priority for the 205ha area is the clearance of the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) under advice from Parks Victoria. For safety reasons Parks Victoria has advised public access to the area will be restricted until the UXO is cleared. Senator Macdonald has a keen desire to see the area opened to the public as soon as practicable.  The Commonwealth has provided $2 million to enable the Victorian Government to undertake burning and weed management to facilitate the clearance of UXO.  The clearance of UXO on the site will be carried out under a timetable and in accordance with methods to be agreed with Parks Victoria.  Point Nepean is also under consideration to be added to the National Heritage List and that decision is expected to be made very shortly.  The Commonwealth’s intention is to transfer the remaining area at Point Nepean to the State within three and a half years.

 HEALTH BOOST FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL

Defence military and civilian personnel would benefit from a healthier and safer work environment with the launch of the Defence Centre for Occupational Health.   The Defence Centre will provide Defence with a specialist team of experts to work closely with existing safety teams around Australia to eliminate occupational hazards.  Defence has been extremely active in improving workplace safety and reducing risks to personnel and the new centre will enhance these improvements, focusing on health promotion, longer term implications of health risks and better identification of health hazards. The Centre will work with Defence agencies and the Services, including the Army, Navy and Air Force Safety Teams, to provide expert advice and information on occupational health, offer policy guidance, education and training and practical tools to help prevent occupational hazards.  It will utilise a panel of specialists to give advice and share professional medical, occupational health and industry experience to ensure our defence personnel have the best health expertise available.

 AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL

 Australia will recognise the service of more than one million current and former Defence Force personnel with the Australian Defence Medal (ADM).  Her Majesty the Queen has approved the official regulations and design for the award that aims to recognise current and former Australian Defence Force (ADF) Regular and Reserve personnel, and volunteer and National Servicemen, who have served since the end of World War II.  The government has decided to broaden the eligibility criteria to include former ADF members who completed their initial enlistment period, or four years service, whichever is the lesser.  The criteria also recognises National Servicemen and those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period because of the ADF’s workplace and enlistment policies of the time.  The expanded criteria also includes those who die in service or are medically discharged due to permanent injury and unable to reach four years or complete their initial period of enlistment.   Presentation ceremonies by senior military officers and Federal parliamentarians are expected to commence in mid-2006 as the medals become available.

 NEW HOME FOR VIETNAM VETS’ ASSOCIATION AT EDINBURGH

 The Ex-Military Rehabilitation Centre (XMRC) and Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia, Northern Suburbs Sub-Branch, (VVAA NSSB) have secured a new home at Edinburgh.  The XMRC and VVAA NSSB have been in temporary accommodation in Defence buildings at Edinburgh since 1998, but are now able to move to nearby Defence buildings of a higher standard.  Both organisations viewed the buildings in late 2005.  The XMRC provides services to the veterans’ community and disadvantaged people in Salisbury and Playford.  Services include rehabilitation activities, pension and welfare advice, computer classes, fellowship for veterans, hobbies, transport, youth employment and a meal service.  The VVAA is one of the many Ex-Service Organisations providing a point of contact for veterans seeking assistance. It assists veterans and war widows seeking pension and welfare information, provides referrals to counselling services and acts as a drop-in centre for veterans.   The two new buildings will be refurbished to accommodate the XMRC and VVAA.

THE DEFENCE HERITAGE STRATEGY

Defence owns and uses a variety of places that are significant for their cultural, Indigenous, historical, natural and social heritage values.  Defence currently manages 125 places which are included on the Commonwealth Heritage List and over 200 places on the Register of the National Estate.  The Defence Heritage Strategy has been launched to ensure heritage sites owned by Defence are managed appropriately on behalf of the Australian people, now and into the future, in accordance with world’s best practice standards.

 expansion of Service allowances and conditions in Northern Australia

 More than 11,000 ADF members will benefit from a $35 million expansion of Service allowances and conditions in Northern Australia.  The package of locality allowances, leave and travel entitlements is designed to lessen the impact on ADF members and their families serving in remote areas of northern Australia, particularly those who are likely to undertake more than one posting or serve for extended periods in the north.  The initiative will provide an ADF District Allowance of up to an extra $4,420 a year paid in recognition of the higher than normal cost of living in adverse circumstances, including the need to use airconditioners more than in other locations.  Airconditioners allowance has been discontinued and rolled into the district allowance.  In addition, more leave travel for ADF members, both single and with dependants, in more remote areas will be made available.  This travel at Commonwealth expense provides access to facilities unavailable in remote areas.  In these areas members and their families will be entitled to two trips per year - one to the closest State capital, the other to any selected State or Territory capital.  Also, additional recreational leave (ARL) of between two and five days per year depending on the location is available.  For some locations, this will be a reduction of two days per year of ARL.  The package is based on new locality gradings that take into account climate, isolation and the cost of living.  This is the first time the gradings have been changed in 30 years.

 AUSTRALIAN PLANS FOR GALLIPOLI 2006

 Plans for Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2006 are well under way, with a high level of cooperation between the Governments of Turkey, New Zealand and Australia.  Important lessons learned from record crowds at last year’s 90th anniversary has led to improvements for the 2006 services and a framework to handle increased attendance as we approach the centenary anniversary in 2015.  This will include closer drop off points, assistance for the aged and infirm, better seating and food services, an alcohol ban, increased first aid facilities and clean up support from Conservation Volunteers Australia.  This year’s crowd will experience an emotive collaborative program involving the 1915 story and the birth of the Anzac spirit, the premiere of a Turkish composed symphonic piece and an ABC trial broadcast link of the different services.  Additional planning has occurred to cater for the large number of visitors expected this year that do not impact on the historical significance of the site. Australian engineers and other Australian officials are working with Turkish officials to undertake some minor road repairs before the 2006 services.  The Australian Government has also committed a further $16 million over four years to preserve the legend of Gallipoli, which includes the funding of a specialist Australian team to support an historical and archaeological review of the area.

Mr L.J. Bienkiewicz – 0411 444248

Commodore H J P Adams (Retd) - 02 6292 1452