BUDGET SPECIAL

 The Association notes that most Budget initiatives implement some of the ALP election promises although some, like the proposed free basic health care trial for Defence Force families, appear significantly different to what was promised before the election.  For example: there will now be only five trial locations instead of the 12 originally proposed; dental costs above a $300 cap per dependent will now been charged (How much dental work can you get for $300?); and Townsville, one of the largest Defence areas and which was originally to have a pilot stand-alone ADF family health facility, is now to be combined with a “GP Super Clinic”, ie a non- Defence health facility, in yet another trial system.

 The ADF’s recruitment and retention challenges have been recognized, but DFWA doubts that they will be overcome in the short term, notwithstanding the greater flexibility in salary and allowance structures designed to meet the challenges posed by the demands of service life and the competing rewards of the civilian labour markets.  It might well be that the solution lies in work/life balance and the non-salary conditions of service, particularly relating to service spouses and families, plus simply having enough personnel to handle the commitments entered into by governments.

 The decision announced in Budget Paper No 2, to implement an election commitment and backdate certain widows’ pensions to 1 July 2003, is very welcome. It corrects an injustice that was being suffered by only military pensioners and their families.

 Increased DVA financial support for Ex-Service Organisations, totaling nearly $15m and based on the scale of their assistance to individual veterans is sensible, although DFWA is very conscious that this does not address all the more general work done by many ESOs on behalf of the whole veterans’ and ex-service community.

Indexation.  Of considerable concern to retired military personnel and their families was the total absence of any mention of correcting entrenched overpayment of commutation, compensation offsets, and inadequate indexation for their pensions.  At least the Budget did not announce a fourth Senate inquiry to consider the matter of indexation, which has been well debated in recent months and is clear to all that change is overdue.

 THE 2020 SUMMIT

The Association notes that the 40 page Summary Report of the 2020 Summit held in Canberra recently did not contain the words “defence”, “maritime”, “sea”, “ocean” or “veterans”, and the only use of the word “military” was in the term “non-military” and referred to a pre-Summit  submission. Maybe it is because we live in a Lucky Country, and need not worry about such nasty things ?

 Defence Medical Records

 An explanation has been received to explain the reports from some advocates of delays of up to 30 weeks in providing medical records for veterans and other retired personnel.  The problem seems to have emanated from a requirement by insurance companies to see all medical records for the person in question.  Whereas centrally held files are still being provided in 3-6 weeks, requests for all records require physical checks through every establishment, base or ship in which the person ever served.  It is those comprehensive records that can take up to 30 weeks.  That seems also to explain why there have not been more widespread reports of this problem – it is encountered infrequently.  The Association suggests that the solution is for personnel to take copies of their records when they leave the Service. It may also be possible to reduce the delays by requesting only the centrally held records.

MENTAL HEALTH

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has a website dedicated to maximising mental health. Targeting veterans, their partners, carers, sons and daughters, and current serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, www.at-ease.dva.gov.au enables the user to find information on common mental health conditions, as well as information that takes into account the uniqueness of the veteran experience; Services that are available to help cope with a mental illness; DVA mental health news and event information; and links to other mental health resources.

 Defence Community Houses and Facilities Project

 Defence is conducting a nation wide project to review the provision and use of Defence Community houses and facilities, and the support provided through them.  This review is intended to provide Defence with a more effective model and policy for community support in order to strengthen community resilience and contribute to capability and retention.  Input is sought from serving and non-serving personnel by attending a Defence Families Australia focus group style regional meeting or by completing the DCO Community House Review online survey.  More information on the Project is available on the DCO website or from Defence Families Australia (www.dfa.org.au).

 NEW ADDRESS FOR VICTORIA BRANCH

 The Victoria Branch of the DFWA has finally moved !  Their new address is H Block; Victoria Barracks; 256-310 St Kilda Road SOUTHBANK, VIC, 3006.  Office Phone: (03) 9282 4959  Fax: (03) 9282 7089  President’s Phone: (03) 9282 4948