Soldier Pays for our Freedoms
This editorial from the "Gold Coast Bulletin" is a welcome reminder to our fellow Australians why we serve our country and the sacrifices we endure to do so.
Soldier pays for our freedoms
Gold Coast Bulletin - Editorial
10 Jul08
IT IS worth remembering, on the occasion of the death of the second Gold Coast soldier in Afghanistan, that our national freedom comes at a heartbreaking price.
Former Trinity Lutheran College student, Signaller Sean McCarthy, was at the front line of the civilised world's war against terrorism. Like Oxenford soldier David Pearce last year, he was killed by a roadside bomb in a war that shows every sign of intensifying.
His loss -- and that of the other five Diggers who have died in Afghanistan -- puts that nasty war in historical context.
We are reminded of September 11, 2001, of the devastating attacks on the Western world's values, the murderous plans of Osama bin Laden, the Stone Age ideals of the Taliban, the re-emergence of the biggest supplier of heroin in the world and the strategic importance of Afghanistan in Asia.
Signaller McCarthy's death also emphasises that tens of thousands of soldiers, including Americans, Australians, Britons, Canadians and NATO troops from all over Europe, are doing their best not just to defend Afghans against the dark forces of the Taliban, but also to rebuild the country and maintain the balance of power in the region.
Afghanistan is the cradle for a brand of terrorism that has rocked the world; all civilised societies have a responsibility to contain this evil and, if possible, to root it out.
From Australia's perspective, we do not readily seek war, but nor do we shirk our responsibilities.
We send our young men and women off to war to defend oppressed people against tyrants and to build societies for a better and more tolerant world.
We do not turn our backs on people who need us; we have fought against Hitler, Tojo, the communists of Southeast Asia and the insurgents of East Timor and the Solomons.
The ruthless forces of the Taliban have the potential to turn Kabul into ruins, to persecute women, to incite war between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan and to relaunch terror campaigns around the world.
Signaller McCarthy was part of the great push to defeat the bullies and every Australian should feel proud of his efforts.
His death also should remind politicians that our servicemen and women -- the nation's ultimate patriots -- should be given the respect they deserve, in life and in death.
A soldier's pay is not generous compared with that of many Australians, yet they are expected to put their lives on the line and to suffer hardships that most people would consider unbearable.
They go to places such as Afghanistan knowing that behind-the-lines, contractors well away from danger are making fortunes.
It is little wonder that many young soldiers, after a couple of tours of duty, leave the service forever and head for better-paid civilian careers.
We hope that a change of government causes an improvement in the way the Department of Veterans' Affairs discharges its responsibilities to Signaller McCarthy's family and to all other service personnel, past and present.
Under former Minister Bruce Bilson, the department had a sorry record of dealing with veterans.
It can only be hoped that under new Minister Alan Griffin, Veterans' Affairs will untangle the paperwork of the Repatriation Commission, Centrelink, Defence and several other departments and make life easier for the families of Diggers.
Nothing can blunt the grief associated with a soldier's death, but the least a nation can do for its defenders is to look after their families and treat their claims with dignity and efficiency. Let's not quibble about the debt this country owes its armed forces.
$1mil Boost to Defence Family Funding
Friday, 4 July 2008
087/2008
Defence family support groups across Australia will receive a total of $1.04 million in Family Support Funding grants, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP announced today.
“The Government recognises the important contribution and sacrifices made by families who support the men and women of the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Those who have pursued a military career have chosen not only a job but also a special way of life; and for their families, this can mean frequent postings around Australia and a significant amount of time on their own while their loved ones are deployed on operations and exercises.
“Defence Family Support Funding Program grants provide money to develop programs and activities that best suit the needs of ADF families within their local communities.
“Fifty four Defence family support groups in all states and territories, as well as in Papua New Guinea and Malaysia, will benefit from over a million dollars in Defence grants this financial year.
“The grants assist Defence family support groups to utilise neighbourhood houses and community centres as well as undertake programs and activities such as producing local newsletters, craft groups and playgroups, as well as assisting children with special needs.
“These important projects will help Defence families stay connected with their local communities and assist them in dealing with the challenges of a highly mobile Defence lifestyle.
“Families are resilient and support each other through the friendships that develop from these projects.” Mr Snowdon said.
A state by state funding breakdown is available at www.defence.gov.au/media
DHOAS Approved and ready to roll 1 July
Thursday, 19 June 2006 077/2008
NEW DEFENCE HOME OWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE SCHEME LEGISLATION PASSED
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today warmly welcomed the passage of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme legislation through the Senate.
“The way is clear for the new Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) to commence on 1 July 2008 now that the Senate has passed the legislation,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The DHOAS is one of a number of retention initiatives that will encourage Australian Defence Force (ADF) members to serve longer.
“The Scheme provides progressively higher home loan subsidies to permanent ADF members who serve beyond the critical departure points of 4, 8 and 12 years, and for Reservists with service past 8, 12 and 16 years.
“The subsidies represent a significant incentive for ADF members to remain serving and will assist them and their families in the current competitive housing market.”
Mr Snowdon said that the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) had been appointed the Scheme Administrator after a competitive tender process and that a panel of three Home Loan Providers had been selected to support the DHOAS:
• National Australia Bank Limited,
• Australian Defence Credit Union Limited, and • Defence Force Credit Union Limited.
After 1 July 2008, the Home Loan Providers will be able to advise ADF members on the range of loan products available for use with the DHOAS.
The Department of Defence and DVA will be undertaking an extensive information campaign aimed at informing all personnel of the details of the DHOAS. ADF members may approach DVA after the scheme commences on 1 July 2008 for information on applying for the DHOAS subsidy.
DHOAS Coming Closer
Minister for Defence Media Mail List
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THE HON. WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
067/2008
LEGISLATION FOR NEW ADF HOME LOANS SCHEME ON TRACK
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that the new ADF Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is a step closer to a 1 July 2008 start date.
The ADF Home Owner Assistance Scheme legislation has been agreed to in the House of Representatives and is now only subject to passage through the Senate, which is expected by 26 June 2008.
The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is one of a number of initiatives to encourage ADF personnel to serve longer.
Mr Snowdon said the Scheme recognises loyalty and dedication with progressively higher home loan subsidies to permanent members who serve beyond the critical separation points of 4, 8 and 12 years, and Reservists with service past 8 years.
ADF personnel will have a choice of three providers who have each undertaken as part of the tender process to offer products equal to or better than available in the general mortgage market.
The successful Home Loan Provider panel members are:
* National Australia Bank Limited,
* Australian Defence Credit Union Limited, and
* Defence Force Credit Union Limited.
Mr Snowdon said attempts by the Opposition to amend the benefits for partners of those killed during war-like service was a cheap stunt, that would have sadly discriminated between the bereaved, based on how their spouse died.
“The new scheme treats all partners of deceased equally,” said Mr Snowdon.
“Spouses will inherit the same subsidy entitlements the deceased held, and in fact waive the four year qualifying period. This applies to the partners of all deceased regardless of the circumstances of death.”
The Department of Defence will be undertaking an extensive information campaign aimed at informing all personnel of the details of the DHOAS in coming months.
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8 Month Tours of duty from now on!
Department of Defence Media Mail List
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CPA 159/08 Wednesday, 4 June 2008
EIGHT MONTH OPERATIONAL TOURS
The duration of some Army operational deployments will be increased from six months to eight months. These deployments will commence from October this year, with the deployment of the first Mentoring Reconstruction Task Force to Afghanistan.
This increase in deployment length will provide a corresponding increase in time between deployments. This will provide our Army the time to train in the broad range of capabilities that a modern Army requires to be successful in the contemporary security environment.
As the Army grows under the Enhanced Land Force initiative, this decision will better balance operational commitments with the generation of current and future capability.
The initiative will also increase the length of individual respite between operations, and reduce the potential number of rotations an individual could be deployed on in a two-year period. This is likely to contribute to better retention of Army personnel.
Eight-month deployments will allow Australian soldiers more time to develop and maintain cohesive relationships with both the local population, and our coalition partners, and to better understand the environment they are operating in. This is designed to ensure they achieve more during their deployments, enhancing the reputation of the Army and the nation, while at the same time enhancing the force protection of our deployed soldiers.
No ADF member will deploy on an operation without knowing the intended duration of their deployment. Consequently, eight-month operational deployments will not apply to any individuals or force elements currently deployed.
“Army is committed to ensuring the continued welfare of its personnel while at the same time assuring the long-term health of an organisation that is highly effective in preparing for operations,” said Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy.
“This initiative aims to balance those imperatives. Eight-month tours provide a better outcome for Army and our people”.
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Defence Families Recognised recently at War memorial in Canberra
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/snowdon/gallery/20080221/index.htm
Thursday, 21 February 2008 012/2008
The importance, strength, self-reliance and courage of the families of Australian Defence Force members has now been officially recognised at the Australian War Memorial, with the unveiling of a plaque and a garden seat.
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, joined Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, Vice Chief of the Defence Force, the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Mr Steve Gower, and members of Defence Families of Australia in a ceremony at the War Memorial today.
“In war and in peace, the men and women of our Australian Defence Force have been supported by their families. The work they do would not be possible without the love and understanding that families give.
“Today provides a long overdue opportunity to recognise the families' contribution,” Mr Snowdon said.
“There are many challenges that go with being in the Australian Defence force family.
“Our families face frequent relocations, they have to deal with a family member being away from home on training or deployment for weeks or even months at a time – all these factors add up to an increased level of pressure.
“We are committed to easing these pressures as much as we can, but the first step is to recognise the contributions of our families,” said Mr Snowdon.
The plaque accompanies a bench seat in the War Memorial's Sculpture Garden.
“By establishing this seat here in the sculpture garden we seek to remind the visitors to this place that every person who serves in the Australian Defence Force carries with them the love, the hopes and the fears of a family,” Mr Snowdon said.
“We thank these families for their service to our country.”
DEFCOM Deal is over!
The agreement between the ADF and DEFCOM has been terminated with effect 21 Feb 08. There may be members of your units who wish to continue their membership of DEFCOM and in this case they chould approach the company directly and become a member for $19.25 for 5 years. www.defcom.com.au or phone 07-32784333.
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