The Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), together with its partners in the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations (ADSO), must condemn the disappointing news from the Defence Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) that they endorsed the lowly annual pay increase of 1.5% per annum over the next three years. This increase is barely half the expected annual inflation rate. We have expressed that disappointment in a Press Statement in which our National President, David Jamison, bluntly puts his point of view saying “it is a strange way to reward ADF members for their dedication and hard work especially as the Government has just dispatched a new contingent to the ongoing Middle East conflicts”.
All serving members of the ADF can be assured that, despite today’s decision, DFWA/ADSO will not be giving up the fight for a pay deal that better rewards the service men and women of Australia for their dedication and commitment to the Defence of their country. A ‘better pay deal’ means at least matching the movement of the ‘Employee Living Cost Index’, not just inflation. It means maintaining the real purchasing power of ADF wages. Anything less represents a pay cut which ADF members should not be expected to accept. Nor should they be expected to accept having to actually pay for the lowly offer by so-to-speak ‘productivity initiatives’ which include removing some previously approved leave provisions and the downgrading of several other conditions of service.
DFWA/ADSO will further fight to make sure that any costs imposed on ADF members by way of such increases as Defence Housing should not exceed any salary increase over the next three years.