This letter on THE AUSSIE DIGGER FORUM...

This letter on THE AUSSIE DIGGER FORUM http://pub23.bravenet.com/forum/1925085003/show/512441 tips the bucket on the Australian Government's treatment of our armed services men and women...

A Letter To All Australians

From: Keith Tennent

To: WA RSL ; VVFA National ; Victorian RSL ; Vic TPI ; TPI Federation ; Tas TPI ; Tas RSL ; SA RSL ; Queensland RSL ; NSW TPI ; NSW RSL Address 2 ; NSW RSL ; National RSL ; Drop In Centre ; Capricorn RSL ; Barry Billing ; ACT RSL ; PVA Pres ; PVA Sec ; RSL Nat President ; President SA RAR Assoc ; Secretary SA RAR Assoc ; ACT TPI ; WA TPI ; Townsville TPI ; PVA Research and Benefits Member ; AVADSC Council ; Australian Defence Assoc

Cc: Shadow DVA Minister ; Royal Aust College of GPs ; DVA Minister ; AMA

Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 2:47 PM

Subject: LETTER TO ALL AUSTRALIANS ABOUT VETERAN COMPENSATION AND HEALTH CARE


A Letter to Australians,


Over the last twelve months, there has been a lot of activity in the media with ex-service personnel airing their grievances about the lack of compensation received for their injuries.



Before you turn the page or move to the next story, please let me clear a few myths. Members of the defence forces do pay income tax and Medicare contributions. They must contribute to their own superannuation, they must use the military medical and dental system, they must be on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be called on for 16 hour shifts with no overtime payments when called to duty. The standard week is still 42 hours. They must work nights, weekends and public holidays with no penalty rates. They must maintain a high level of fitness or they will be sacked. They can eat at mess facilities, but they have to pay for the food they eat. They are provided accommodation, but they do pay rent, utilities, excess water etc. They may be eligible for a slightly reduced home loan of $25,000.00 or $40,000.00, but they then have to find a financial institution willing to provide second mortgage on the remainder of the home loan cost.



All this is acceptable. It is part of the career, it is expected as part of military life. What is not expected is that when they are permanently injured, contaminated, or disabled as part of that career, they are not covered by compensation.



The Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Military Compensation work on a relatively short list of conditions which they will accept as attributable to military service. If it’s not on the list, chances are you will not be covered. Also, if you do not meet the eligibility criteria on the list e.g. war service or hazardous service then you are excluded. If you get through that, then you have to meet the certain limited conditions under which the injury will be accepted.



Also, a condition is excluded from compensation, simply because it is not included. This is why the Atomic (Maralinga) personnel have not been compensated for their radiation poisoning, the members of the Voyager disaster had to take legal action to receive compensation for their traumatic injuries, the Navy divers who cleared the waters off Australia of the radioactive waste have not been paid, only last month the men and women who served in Rwanda were recognised to be eligible for compensation for their injuries, the SAS have a high injury and death rate which is not recognised or compensated, the F111 fuel tank workers are still fighting for their systemic damage from toxic contamination to be compensated, the personnel affected by their tour of East Timor have not been recognised or compensated, and the list goes on.



We mainly hear about the groups who are crying out for “a fair go”, but there are thousands of men and women (and widowers and widows) who have not been compensated for their permanent injuries, contaminations and disabilities caused by their service to Australia.



If your son or daughter, husband or wife was permanently injured at work from unsafe work practices, culpable negligence or malpractice, would you tell them to get over it and get on with life or would you help them fight for compensation to have the medical costs they face for the rest of their life covered, the alterations to their physical environment, and a component of their lost income over their projected working career replaced? I’m sure you would support them in their battle, or stand in their stead and shout of the injustice from the rooftops.



The military are not privileged; they do not receive more or better than the “average Australian”. All the injured, contaminated and disabled are asking for is the same rights to fair and just compensation that all civilian counterparts are entitled to.



This is why you have heard and read in the media, people speaking out. They have battled the beaurocracy without success, now they call for Australia’s support to hear and help them receive justice.



Our military, throughout history has received acclaim for their valour and compassion from both allies and enemies alike. Australia needs a strong Defence Force. Our young should be encouraged to become part of a great tradition of national pride, honour, respect, mateship and teamwork. However, they and we as a nation, need to be assured that if they are permanently injured, contaminated or disabled then they will receive the recognition, treatment and compensation that they deserve.



Please support them in their quest for justice.



Kathleen Henry

F111 Deseal/Reseal Support Group

[email protected]