Palmer United Senator for Queensland and Leader of Palmer United in the Senate, Glenn Lazarus, today slammed the Abbott Government for undermining Australia’s defence personnel.
The Australian Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) today ruled the Abbott Government’s pay offer to Australia’s defence personnel involving an increase of only 1.5 percent per year for the next three years, was appropriate.
“Defence personnel do not get a chance to vote on their pay agreements like other public servants,” said Senator Lazarus today.
“Australia’s defence personnel rely on the integrity and leadership of the government to provide appropriate pay agreements.
“Today is a dark day for Australia.
“Today, Australia’s very own Prime Minister has undercut and undermined the very people he is sending to war.
“Defence families across Australia feel ripped off and deserted.
“I call on all Australians to stand up for our defence force and write to Tony Abbott directly and voice your anger and disgust at what he has done.
“The Abbott Government has sent our troops to war with a pay cut.
“Inflation is running at around 3% per year and the Abbott Government wants to cut the pay of our defence force by only giving them a pay increase of 1.5% which means that their salary won’t keep up with the cost of living.
“Our military didn’t even get a chance to negotiate a better deal because the Abbott Government made it clear that not only would they not negotiate on the pay offer, they would not provide back pay should the appalling offer be rejected.
“This is a low act.
“Australia should not let the Abbott Government get away with this.
“We need all Australians to stand up for the people who keep us safe and secure – our defence personnel.”