Defence personnel and their families will benefit from a new agreement between Defence and the Defence Housing Authority to improve relocation services, according to Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale.

“This agreement puts the relationship on a firm commercial basis,” Mrs Vale said.

“Defence families can rest assured that the service provided by DHA is being monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis.

The new agreement provides for a complete case – managed approach to moving the member.

The services include helping the member find a permanent housing solution in the new locality, cleaning of service residences upon vacation, preparing the member’s movement plan (including booking of travel and accommodation, calculating and paying entitlement) and liaising with other service providers, such as Toll Transitions. Defence continues to hold responsibility for furniture storage.

The first phase of the agreement covers the period from December 20 to July 31. The agreement then has three subsequent phases, to June 30, 2006, June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2010, with each phase subject to a performance review before the next phase is agreed.

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