dfwa submissions

 The Association has recently provided submissions to Government on a range of issues:

1. to the Joint Sub-committee on Defence consisting largely of suggested questions relating to the effect of outsourcing on ADF retention rates and to the role of the Reserves, was prepared for the Defence Sub-Committee of the JSCDFAT’s review of the Department of Defence Annual Report 2006-07;

2. to the Joint Sub-committee on Defence regarding the administration of compensation issues surrounding the F-111 Deseal-Reseal Program; and

3. to Minister Griffin regarding nominations to the Consultative Forum for the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study.

 meeting with Mr JOEL Fitzgibbon, MINSTER FOR DEFENCE

 The Association’s National President and National Secretary recently met with the Minister for Defence, Mr Joel Fitzgibbon and his staff.  A wide range of matters were discussed including DFWA’s need to have resources to improve our capacity to represent ADF personnel in discussions about conditions of service and at the DFRT. Mr Fitzgibbon asked whether his endorsement would help DFWA to attract serving ADF personnel.  A detailed description of DFWA’s role, activities and structure, along with a suggested draft letter of endorsement, has been forwarded to Mr Fitzgibbon’s Office.

 Meeting with Mr Bob Baldwin, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel

 The Association’s National President and National Secretary recently met with Mr Bob Baldwin, Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel. Mr Baldwin advised of Opposition amendments to the new Defence Home Ownership legislation – readers will have seen the subsequent media statements – and explained that the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mrs Bishop, will have carriage of the Review of Military Superannuation for the Opposition.

 MEETING WTH mr Peter Lindsay, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence

 The WA Branch advise of a recent successful meeting with Mr Peter Lindsay in their new offices at Irwin Barracks. The meeting included several representatives from their co-tenants, including Defence Families Australia, and Mr Lindsay was briefed on the concept of on-base support facilities for Ex Service and other support organisations and the work of the Association.

Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study

 Some ex-service personnel have expressed very public scepticism that the Vietnam Veterans’ Family Study will be too late to be of any use, because many of the “children” will be up to 40 years old. They suggested that there is therefore no point in participating.  DFWA has attempted to explain why the study is still useful, and how it is a necessary precursor to developing an appreciation by Government of the effects on ADF families, as well as on the veterans themselves, of future Government decisions to deploy personnel.

 Maximum Benefits Limits (MBLs) for MSBS

 The Association has written to the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel asking that either action be taken to remove the Maximum Benefits Limits (MBLs) for MSBS (by amending the Trust Deed) in advance of the Government’s overall response to the Review of Military Superannuation, or an assurance be given that the removal of the MBLs would be backdated. Removing the limit was one of the recommendations of the Report of the Review of Military Superannuation that had been generally supported. The problem is a new one, caused largely by having personnel serve beyond the age of 55.

 PENSION INDEXATION: PLEASE EXPLAIN MINISTER !

 The Association has asked the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Mr Warren Snowdon, to have checked the figure for unfunded liabilities that was published in the Explanatory Memorandum of the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws - Superannuation) Bill 2008. The Bill will allow partners in same-sex couples to receive reversionary spouse military pensions, among other measures. The figures given to the Parliament for that Bill seem to suggest that the total increase in unfunded liabilities, if indexation was increased to the MTAWE/CPI goal for all military retirement pensions, would be around $110M.  This compares to the billions quoted previously and given as a reason why pension indexation justice for military superannuants is unaffordable.

 DFWA CONTACT IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

 The Association’s contact in South Australia, Mr Brian Whinfield, has had to resign as DFWA’s contact person in South Australia, for personal reasons.  That is a particular pity as the SA Government has recently established a designated Veterans’ Affairs responsibility for their Attorney-General. It is hoped, however, that a group of ex-service personnel who had previously formed the SA branch of AVADSC may be interested in acting as DFWA’s contacts there. If any other SA members are interested in assisting to represent DFWA – attendance at transition seminars, maintaining liaison with the SA Government, putting vets in contact with advocates, etc – could they please discuss it with our National President, David Jamison (call the National Office on 02 6265 9530 initially).