With the sad passing of our friend John Graham, it is up to the rest of us to ensure that his efforts are not wasted. As individuals we need to make a contribution to the military super debate. Without the numbers, we will see the status quo on super adjustments remain .

Who is leading the charge? Clearly the Defence Forces Welfare Association is doing more than anyone else to keep this matter alive. As a lifetime subscriber to the RSL, I have been disappointed to note that they are not doing more.

I wrote to my local federal member, whose response was luke warm. I then sent e-mails to the Shadow Ministers for Veterans Affairs and Defence, expressing my disappointment that they do not appear to be doing much at all (if anything), to foster our cause for fair indexation. I was contacted by Louise Markus (a pleasant lady), to discuss my request. I asked her why the Coalition has dropped the bundle on this matter. She denied this and advised that they are working on policy papers for the next election. I reminded her that the Clarke Review provided the conduit for this to happen, had they acted before the last election. She further advised me that there was not much the Coalition can do for military super recipients, unless they win Government at the next election. I responded that given the current state of the coalition, that prospect seems unlikely. She then informed me that she would pass on my correspondence to Bob Baldwin for a response. After two weeks I have not received any response, nor do I expect one.

The coalition members could take a leaf out of Labor Senator Kate Lundy's book. She has written (along with other Labor members) to the appropriate Minister expressing their disappointment over the decision on our super adjustment criteria.She has also started an open forum for anyone to put forward their views. The input does not appear to be censored in any way.

With the sad passing of John Graham, it is up to the rest of us to carry on his good work. Nothing is going to happen unless there is enough groundswell from military super recipients, to make the Government and Coalition, get off their tails and resolve the current unjust situation.

The RSL has not done enough (I am a member of the RSL), to take this fight up to the Government. However, The Defence Force Welfare Association has clearly taken the lead on this matter. They continue to fight for our rights, with well researched documentation.

Another problem existing is the number of ex-service organisations, which hamper a united response. There is no doubt in my mind that all of us need to get behind the DFWA.

I have personally written to my local federal member and his response has been luke warm. I also wrote to the coalition Shadow Ministers of Defence and Veterans Affairs, advising them of my disappointment, that the Coalition didn't seem to be doing anything on this matter. The Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs called me back and stated that they would be formulating policy before the next election. When I asked would the coalition commit to fixing the unjust military super indexation system, she stated that nothing could be done to fix it, unless they were returned to Government. I pointed out that the opportunity to fix this problem was contained in the Clarke Review, which the Coalition Government failed to implement. I also informed her, that unless the coalition started to get it's collective act together, they have little chance of being elected in three years time. She advised she would pass on my request to the Shadow Minister of Defence for a response to my letter. Surprise- nothing has been heard.

The only politicians  that seem to be trying to do something for us, would appear to be spearheaded by Senator Kate Lundy (a Labor Senator). She has an excellent web site, with a forum for people like us to air our views.

Blue Ryan has been criticesed by Government members and the National President of the RSL. Here are copies of reactions from Bernie Mc Gurgan, George Mansford, Neil Weekes, and Bill Crews:

"You may be disappointed but the RSL membership has not brought forward any proposal to seek such a flow-on and 
if it was to be brought forward, it is unlikely to be supported." Bill Crews 30/06/09


 

Bryan Wilson is an executive member of the Defence Force Welfare Fund (DFWA). He is an accomplished researcher of all things relating to the concerns of current and retired ex-servicemen. In this sound take, Bryan explains the problems that Defence Superannuants have with the Government in regards to superannuation.

As I recall, the interview took place about two years ago, and is as relevant now as it was then.

Download & Play 1.3 Mb

There have been many e-mail suggestions that we need media attention from helpful journalists and TV / radio commentators. This is not as easy as people might think.

I have been approached on many occasions with suggestions that 'we' should instigate a class action against the Government in relation to Superannuation matters that trouble us, particularly indexation.

A series of new forums have been announced by the Minister, the Honourable Alan Griffin. These are in addition to the Prime Minister's Advisory Council (PMAC). There appearsto be no conflict between these advisory groups.

Neil Weekes, a member of the PMAC, has given me an assurance that the appointment of these committees does not represent a downgrading of the PMAC.

Article by Brigadier (Rtd) Neil Weekes MC. AM   |   Document Date - 30 March, 2009

There is no motion on Indexation because the RSL National Office has already made representations to the Government, in combination with the Defence Welfare Association.

An article researched by Sheldon Maher OAM – VVFA Lismore NSW

From early last century till 1997, there was a clear understanding, a clear principle, that war veterans received free medical treatment for their war caused illnesses and injuries.

DFRDB recipients, in particular, have been poorly treated since 1973, when the newly elected Labor Government rejected Jess's recommendations on indexation and absconded with our invested funds. Every government since that time has ignored requests for equity with the general community. The indexation that ex-servicemen receive, CPI, was regarded as inadequate for Centrelink pensioners by the Howard Government, but adequate for the Government's own former employees.

The DFRDB Board has let Military superannuants down by not carrying out their fiduciary duty in not recommending amendments to the act to remove anomalies. The prime anomalies are the use of a 46 year old life table to calculate commutation, and the period over which is expected that it be repaid.