Media Statement – 2 March 2016
Military service to the nation is a bond that unites all generations of veterans. The unique demands placed on ADF members and their families in too many cases results in significant physical and mental health problems and family stresses. It is for this reason Governments have legislated for specific provisions to support our service personnel and their families.
In the words of a former Prime Minister Billy Hughes “They went forth willingly to do their duty to Australia; Australia must be equally ready to do its duty to them”.
We believe successive governments have fallen well short of meeting this enduring obligation. The Veteran Entitlement, Services Rehabilitation and Compensation, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Acts are meant to be applied in a beneficial way to serving and former ADF members but we find in too many instances that this is not happening, particularly in the case of veterans from more recent conflicts.
ADSO strongly urges the Government:
• Insist its officials apply the provisions of these compensation arrangements beneficially;
• Ensure adequate staff resources are available to enable DVA to process veterans’ claims expeditiously; and
• Provide the staff and resources needed to update the department’s IT systems and to design system improvements to provide a more responsive service to veterans reducing the extended times taken at present.
Veterans have willingly served and made sacrifices for Australia. ADSO asks for nothing more in return than a fair go for them and their families.
Contacts
ADSO Campaign Co Directors
Ted Chitham 0418733887 and Alf Jaugietis 0438282284
www.adso.org.au
ADSO National Spokesman – David Jamison 0416107557
ADSO comprises:
The Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA), Naval Association of Australia (NAA), RAAF Association (RAAFA), Royal Australian Regiment Corporation (RARC), Australian Special Air Service Association (ASASA), Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA), the Australian Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex-Service Men and Women, the Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia, Partners of Veterans Association of Australia, Royal Australian Armoured Corps Corporation (RAAC), the National Malaya & Borneo Veterans Association Australia (NMBVAA), the Defence Reserves Association (DRS), the Australian Gulf War Veterans Association, Military Police Association Australia (MPAA), the Australian Army Apprentices Association, and the Australian Commando Association.