The Regulars Update is a monthly newssheet (except for January) containing items which are of interest to the Service and ex-Service community.  It is distributed to politicians, media outlets, senior Service officers and RDFWA branches.  Branches are encouraged to distribute Update further, such as by email, to Association members and other interested people or organisations.  Update is also posted on the RDFWA website.

 SUPERANNUATION BENEFITS FOR DEFENCE FORCE PERSONNEL

The Association welcomes the advice given by Peter Dutton, the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer, regarding recent concerns in some quarters that some Australian Defence Force personnel may be forced to pay more tax under regulations being drafted by Treasury to accompany the new Simplified Super reforms commencing on 1 July 2007.

 Mr Dutton has advised that the rumours are absolutely not true. In February 2007 the Parliament passed the Government’s Simplified Superannuation reforms and there has been some speculation that the new Regulations to accompany some aspects of the reforms will mean that members of the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB) Scheme will have to pay significantly more tax on any commuted lump sum benefits that they may receive on retirement after 1 July 2007.

Mr Dutton has advised that these Regulations will not change existing benefit options currently available to DFRDB members or the tax treatment of any commuted lump sum benefit from 1 July 2007.  From age 60, members will also benefit from lower tax rates on their lump sum benefits and a 10 per cent tax offset on their pensions from an untaxed source.

 The Association will keep a watching brief on this matter.

 COUNSELLING SERVICE NAME CHANGE

 The Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service (VVCS) is to be renamed the Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service to better reflect the diversity of those it served.  In recent years it became increasingly apparent that the name Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service didn't resonate with younger veterans who had served in more recent conflicts and peace operations.  The new name arose out of extensive consultation with ex-service organisations and VVCS clients, who supported efforts to ensure the name better reflected the wider veteran and defence communities the VVCS served.

 The acronym 'VVCS' will remain to recognise the strong heritage of the service and the affection clients have for the VVCS as it reaches out to more recent veterans, current ADF personnel with overseas service or emotional wellbeing needs and their families.  The name change will take effect in April to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the VVCS.

 Review of Military Superannuation

 The RDFWA were the first cab off the rank to give evidence at the Review of Military Superannuation, on Monday 2 April 2007.  The Association’s submission which was developed in conjunction with the RSL was well received and its format – essentially dot-points – was useful for the Review Team, which was generally across the details of most of the issues.  As well a supplementary submission was developed by the QLD, NSW and VIC Branches and between these two, the Association has put a comprehensive case on a wide range of issues for the Team to consider. The submission from the National Office also appeared to be useful for several other ESOs, which were able to select the particular issues on which they wished to comment.

 The Review Team had received over 200 submissions by the deadline of 30 March, and a further 80(+) arrived over the weekend.

 FAST-TRACK APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL

 Since its introduction last year, the Australian Defence Medal (ADM) has been awarded to more than 133,000 current and former serving members of the Australian Defence Force, including national servicemen.  Records show that more than one million people are entitled to apply, and the Department of Defence has set up a fast-track application process to assist applicants.  Applications are submitted in the form of a specially designed statutory declaration, with basic information relating to applicant’s service.

 Current and former Defence Force members who have served since 3 September 1945 for a period of four years or an initial enlistment period, whichever is the lesser, can apply for the medal as recognition of their service to our nation.  Eligibility for the medal is dependent upon individuals having completed their four years or initial enlistment period.  The Australian Defence Medal regulations also provide for issue of the medal to those who were discharged due to Defence workplace policy at the time of their discharge (such as a requirement to discharge due to marriage) or were discharged medically unfit with a compensatable injury at the time of their discharge.

 Children’s health study – when ?

 The Association awaits with interest progress on the Children's Health Study since the eminent members of the Scientific Advisory Committee advised that such a study was both feasible and worthy of doing and would deliver information not presently known about families of veterans. 

 In August 2004 that Australian Government announced that it would examine the feasibility of conducting a study of the health of the children of Vietnam veterans, following a meeting with representatives from the Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study group that was sponsoring research in this area.  Little has happened to progress the study since it was mooted some years ago but it now seems that some progress is being made and the latest advice from the PVA is that members of the Victoria Branch, Partners of Veterans Association of Australia met with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Mr. Bruce Billson on Tuesday 10^th April. Also in attendance were Mr. Adam Luckhurst, National Manager, Rehabilitation, Research and Development, DVA, and Mr. Vincent Sheey, Advisor to the Minister. Representing the PVA were the Victoria Branch President, Shirley Matheson, Victoria Branch Vice-President Carole Doyle, Victoria Branch delegate to National, Heather Evans and PVA spokesperson on children's health, Sue Parker.

 The PVA were very kindly allowed over an hour with the Minister and Mr. Luckhurst who had flown down from Canberra for the meeting. The Minister was keen to reassure the veterans community that all "was on track" with the CMVH.  He advised that:  "Pre-testing would begin in May and would involve members of the veteran community, including sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans.'

 Minister Billson insisted that the health of sons and daughters of all veterans was a "high priority for him and that his conviction was strong and firm regarding the study." He agreed that it would be a good idea to start to convene a Consultative forum of veteran groups, so they can meet within the first two weeks of July to be briefed by Professor Nikki Ellis.

 VETERANS’ ACCESS TO REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT EXTENDED

Veterans and war widows will now have access to rehabilitation equipment provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs even after being assessed as needing high level care in a residential aged care facility.  In the past, DVA has been required to re-claim RAP equipment when a person was assessed as needing high level aged care, as aged care facilities normally provide equipment to meet each high care resident’s clinical needs.  The changes mean that veterans and war widows, who are at a particularly vulnerable time in their lives, will not be caused any distress by having equipment taken away.

 Consumable RAP items, such as continence aids, are not included in the changes.  Oxygen therapy is also excluded.  These will continue to be provided by the residential aged care facilities according to clinical need.

 The decision to accept the equipment remains one for the residential aged care facilities which will not be obliged to accept the RAP equipment, if they pose accommodation, safety or care problems.

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