Issue 213, November 2006
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The Regulars Update is a monthly newssheet (except that December and January are combined) containing items which could be of interest to the Service and ex-Service community. This newssheet is distributed to some politicians, some media outlets, some senior Service officers and RDFWA branches. Branches are encouraged to distribute Update further. Input and feedback from all branches will enhance the content and quality of this newssheet. Update is posted to our web site soon after its distribution.
The RDFWA has advised the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee that it strongly supports the submission made by Dr J P Lonergan in which he argues convincingly as to the possible fallibility of two studies commissioned by the DVA. His arguments point to the complexities attendant in the area of nuclear physics to the point where it is not possible to state with certainty that, on the balance of probabilities, particular medical outcomes would not ensue.
The Association advised the Inquiry that the provision of health care for this cohort of Australian servicemen involved in the tests is supported, and that the area of compensation needs to be addressed, but is not included in the Bills. It is the Association’s firm view that all these service men and women who were exposed to the effects of the UK atomic tests in Australia should be entitled to an appropriate level of compensation in recognition of that unusual aspect of their service. Recognising that these tests took place some 50 years ago, there is a sound case for the Government to cease defending those highly contestable DVA studies, and adopt a magnanimous and generous policy in respect of these veterans.
The Senate has paved the way for Australian participants in British nuclear tests in Australia to receive free comprehensive health treatment for all forms of cancer, including those affecting the thyroid, stomach, liver, lung, and breast as well as skin cancer, with the Senate’s endorsement of legislation which will deliver key health support for Australian participants, both military and civilian, in British nuclear tests. The Australian Government will provide eligible nuclear test participants with free, non-liability health cover, including screening, for all forms of cancer, regardless of cause.
The Australian Government also provides compensation for participants of British Nuclear tests under two different schemes.
· Australian Defence Force personnel and civilian Commonwealth employees who participated in the British Nuclear tests are covered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs administers this scheme for military personnel and can be contacted on 133 254. Civilian Commonwealth employees are covered by this scheme through Comcare who can be contacted on 1300 366 979.
· A Scheme, administered by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), provides equivalent compensation to all third party civilian contractors, pastoralists and Indigenous Australians who were in a test area at the relevant time. Civilians wishing to apply for compensation, should contact DEWR on (02) 6121 5858.
The ADF Clothing and Personal Equipment Procurement Plan 2007- 2011 includes plans for proposed purchasing over $300 million which will be considered by Defence, the Services and the DMO during the next 5 years. The Plan informs industry of Defence’s intentions into the future and provides industry with the opportunity to provide the latest and best available clothing and personal equipment to ADF personnel. The inaugural edition of the Plan will be updated every June as the Clothing and Personal Equipment requirements of our ADF personnel are reviewed. It will retain flexibility to manage unforeseeable requirements for the ADF through operational deployments and technological development.
The release of the Plan is an outcome from the independent Clothing Review Team’s report into the Clothing Group and is consistent with the Kinnaird reforms that are relevant not just for capital acquisition but also for the sustainment of Defence materiel. The plan will further enhance Defence’s relationships with the clothing and textile industry. It provides industry with a guide to proposed plans for clothing and personal equipment which will help industry plan their future business with increased certainty.
Expressions of interest (EOI) have been sought for phase 2 of a project designed to improve the standard of permanent live-in accommodation for single members of the Australian Defence Force across Australia. Project Single LEAP (Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct) aims to provide enhanced quality accommodation including the provision of modern, self-contained apartments, with telephone and internet access, secure storage for personal possessions and undercover parking.
Under phase 1 of the project, Plenary Living has been selected as the preferred tenderer in a Public Private Partnership for the comprehensive provision of 1,295 single units at ADF bases at Holsworthy, NSW, and Enoggera and Amberley in Queensland. This includes finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance of accommodation services for a 30-year term, subject to successful contract negotiations.
Phase 2 of the project, which is the call for expressions of interest for the engagement of a strategic partner to provide an additional 4,000 accommodation units for single ADF members at various sites across Australia. From that EOI process, it is planned that a shortlist of registrants will be announced in early 2007 who will then be invited to submit a Request for Proposal.
The Department of Defence has released a new Internet site
providing information on its Force Disposition Program (FDP). The website
contains information on the Defence bases and establishments involved in the
Program, including potential considerations for their future.
In mid 2006 the Department was instructed by the Government to undertake a number of detailed studies at selected Defence sites to assist in determining the long-term basing strategy to best support Defence capability and workforce sustainability. The FDP is undertaking Cost Benefit Studies at the Defence sites of RAAF Richmond (NSW), Borneo Barracks (QLD), Defence Establishment Berrimah (NT), Woodside Barracks (SA), Hampstead Barracks (SA), Keswick Barracks (SA) and Elizabeth North Training Depot (SA). Socio-Economic Impact Studies are also being conducted for the Western Sydney, Adelaide Hills and Darling Downs regions.
The FDP will inform further Government consideration of the future of these bases. The FDP has been consulting with relevant stakeholders from Federal, state and local governments, and within the Defence community.
This website will allow those who are affected by the review, and interested parties, to access current information on the program. It also provides points of contact for anyone wishing to be further involved. The site can be found at: http://www.defence.gov.au/id/fdp/default.htm
Mr L.J. Bienkiewicz – 0411 444248
Commodore H J P Adams (Retd) - 02 6292 1452
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