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PO Box 4166, KINGSTON
ACT 2604
Patron:
His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd)
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ISSUE 225 December 2007
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| The Update is a monthly E-Letter (except for January) produced by the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA) containing items which are of interest to the Service and ex-Service community. It is distributed to politicians, media outlets, senior Service officers and DFWA branches. Branches are encouraged to distribute Update further to Association members and other interested people or organisations. Update is also posted on the DFWA website. | ||
THE new Defence public relations manifesto – defence responds
The Department of Defence has responded to the article in the November UPDATE that reproduced an article from The Daily Telegraph on the new Defence Instructions (General) dealing with Public Relations. Brigadier A.A. Nikolic CSC, the Director General Public Affairs, has written to the Association:
“ …. expressing concern that the DFWA would publish an article by Mr Ian McPhedran (without reference to Defence), which refers to Defence policy as a 'manifesto' and asserts that CDF / Secretary devote 20 pages of policy to ‘telling staff how to hide information from both the media and the public.’ Mr McPhedran's article does not reflect the principles or intent of our policy relating to public comment. I have responded to his assertions with an OP ED piece, which was published in the Daily Telegraph on 9 Nov. I have also posted a response at our 'On the Record' site at defence.gov.au
I attach a copy of this letter for your information.
Dear Editor,
I write to express my concerns at Mr Ian McPhedran’s criticism of Defence last Wednesday in the Courier Mail. His use of the word ‘manifesto’ in describing Defence policy relating to public comment is pejorative and conveys an image of our approach to public comment that is inconsistent with the facts.
Mr McPhedran also claims (in error) that senior Defence leaders had signed a directive telling “staff how to hide information from the media and the public,” that Defence denies “taxpayers even basic information they have a right to know” and that the “entire document is a push…by Brigadier Nikolic to control every piece of information.”
Importantly, this baseless and quite personal criticism was published without reference to Defence and without acknowledgement that our policy in this area is entirely consistent with Australian Public Service Commission standards. These are available on line at: apsc.gov.au
Mr McPhedran's implied suggestion that Defence personnel should be free to talk to the media without the constraints of Departmental policy is interesting, given that it comes from someone subjected to strict editorial processes. I look forward to reading Ian’s unedited articles on the internal business affairs of News Limited in the near future.”
DFRDB RECIPIENTS RE-ENTERING THE ADF
This issue was raised in the August edition of UPDATE, and in its annual report ComSuper has expressed concern about the number of DFRDB pension recipients failing to make a valid scheme election (ie, in writing) prior to re-entering the ADF. Failure to make a valid election to rejoin the DFRDB may result in the person becoming a member of MilitarySuper by operation of the respective scheme legislation. Overpayment of a DFRDB pension can also result. Considerable efforts have been made by ComSuper and the Department of Defence to enhance member communication on this matter.
Navy Strategy 2007 - Personnel Aspects
Navy Strategy 2007 is a new strategic plan for Navy looking out to 2025. It is a comprehensive document addressing the full suite of capability, operational, personnel and logistic impacts on the delivery of Navy Capability to 2025. Members might care to study the document, available on the Defence Intranet and in hard copy format. The key personnel aspects of the strategy include:
A clear articulation that people are the cornerstone of current and future capability.
The pressures influencing Navy's ability to sustain and grow its workforce include demographic change, skills shortages, low unemployment and globalisation of the workforce.
Leadership remains a key tenet.
The Navy Training System builds on proven strengths.
Recruitment and retention initiatives will be reviewed and adapted.
The employment related expectations of Navy people will be managed and met.
Broad based and continuous education will be used.
Conditions of Service must continue to reflect societal expectations and ensure a balance between career, family and individual's private interests.
Navy's career and personnel management systems will support a totally integrated workforce.
Navy will retain non-deployable members where it is in the interests of the Navy to do so.
Navy will be a corporate leader in employee wellness, health care and welfare programs.
Navy people will be proud of their service and speak highly of their work, lifestyle and opportunities.
THE ASSOCIATION’S SLOGAN
Readers will hopefully be well aware of the Association’s work in helping, advising and assisting serving and retired members of the Defence Force and their families, by providing direct individual assistance and also by lobbying Government on more general and strategic policy issues. The Association’s Executive is keen to develop a new slogan for the Association, and the following has been proposed:
“SUPPORTING THE DEFENCE FAMILY”
The Association welcomes thoughts on the adequacy of this slogan, and suggestions for others !
THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE DEFENCE FORCE WELFARE ASSOCIATION WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY, SAFE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
THE NEXT UPDATE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN FEBRUARY 2008
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