ADSO’S 2014 PRIORITIES & GOALS
Our PRIORITIES are torestore fair indexation as well to the under 55s and to those on Military Superannuation Benefits Scheme (MSBS) and to restore DVA Veterans’ Disability Pension to parity by recovering the structural increase not paid by the Rudd Labor in 2009.
Our GOALS for Superannuation and other issues can be seen here. These goals are not all inclusive and will be actively pursued concurrently to the extent of our resources. Other goals will be added as appropriate.
If you have other priority issues then please submit them with supporting reasons.
ADF VETERANS DETAIL GROWING SCOURGE OF POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
As Australia prepares to mark Anzac Day commemorations, a former top commander, Major General John Cantwell, is warning of a tidal wave of new post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) cases amongst returning veterans. READ MORE
Veterans’ disability pensions
Veterans’ Disability Pensions need to be fixed. Successive Australian Governments have neglected to keep PM Billy Hughes’s 1917 Bargain to veterans.
It’s time for this Parliament to honour The Bargain and do the right thing to restore the lost value of the veterans’ disability pensions NOW.
DISABLED VETERANS DIG IN ON PENSIONS
In this articlereported on page 5 from the Post Newspapers Perth WA last year when disabled Vietnam Veterans Peter Clayton, Jock O’Neill and Allen Petersen protested outside the Coalitions’ Veterans Forum.
The article is repeated here to show that the matter remains alive and will continue as an ADSO priority to restore the parity that was “lost” with the Labor Government’s decision in September 2009. It seems that many in the Parliament and the community fail to understandthat veterans’ disability pensions are completely different from military superannuation payments (pensions)
ABC Q&A – VETERANS’ DISABLED PENSIONS
See the question and answerhere then in the right hand margin click on Veterans Pension.
We were pleased to hear Jacqui Lambie PUP Senator Elect (TAS) reaffirm the PUP’s commitment to support all veterans.
The question presented was different from that submitted by the ABC’s exclusion of the second highlighted sentence:
“The PUP has won public support by the announcement that they will block the Mining Tax Repeal Bill until the Government reverses its plans to axe the education allowance for 1,240 veterans’ orphaned children. In 2009, owing to their inadequacy, the Age and Invalid pensions were raised. But war veterans’ invalidity pensions, despite also being inadequate, were not. Would PUP apply the same willingness to support the 29,000 totally and permanently disabled veterans to raise their pensions?”
We thank Jacqui Lambie and the PUP for their support of veterans. Her passion, honesty and forthrightness are to be admired.
An ADSO priority is the restoration of DVA Veterans’ Disability Pension Indexation to parity, as legislated by the Coalition in 2007 but removed by Rudd Labor in 2009, by recovering the structural increase not paid in 2009. Unfortunately, the Abbott Government will remain complicit in the Rudd Government’s actions until the lost amount is recovered.
DVA STRATEGIC PLAN TOWARDS 2020
DVA Towards 2020 is a plan to take DVA into the future. It provides the direction to continue to meet the needs of veterans and their families in an ever changing and challenging environment. It will guide our response to better meet the needs of the growing number of younger clients. Its priorities include:
- Implementing the new mental health initiatives announced in the Budget and outlined in the new Veteran Mental Health Strategy;
- Continuing to adapt the communication methods to better suit younger veterans;
- Redeveloping Rehabilitation and Compensation systems and increasing flexibility to provide better client service, with a focus on times taken to process claims;
- Continuing to work with the Department of Social Services on implementing aged care reforms; ; and
- Expanding the availability of self-managed services through the Department’s digital channels.
DVA operates under the policy agenda set by the Government, the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission. View the full strategy here.
DFWA UPDATE 283 – APRIL 2014
Read the DFWA’s monthly update here.
THANKING OUR DIGGERS – COLES $5M PLEDGE
To mark its Centenary as an Australian company on 9 April 2014, Coles has pledged to raise $5 million for the Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust to assist current and former members of the armed services and their families who are in need of the nation’s help.
In addition to this fundraising, Coles will also provide “Digger Discounts” in all of its supermarkets on selected days over the next 12 months, to give all serving, returned, or retired members of the Armed Services and their families a 10% discount on their groceries – and is based on the presentation of a valid DVA card, Defence Personnel Card or any other military service identifier.
Thank you Coles
2013 FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS MAP
Check out your own electorate and introduce yourself to the Local MP. If you are not a member of our Local Action Group then please enrol here
The relationship building engagement with the local MP by our Local Action Groups was a major reason for our lobbying success. They were able to explain the true facts of our issues and to correct any misleading and false information with the MP.
BUDGET 2014 – 2015
A great deal of speculation surrounds the content of the forthcoming Federal Budget. We are closely monitoring developments and will reserve any comments until we see the Budget on 13 May 2014.
THANK YOU AUSTRALIA FOR YOUR SUPPORT
From The Fair Go Team our thanks to all our Action Team warriors and supporters.
Campaign Directors: Ted Chitham, Alf Jaugietis
Campaign National Spokesperson: David Jamison
Keep up to date with the Campaign at www.adso.org.au