Letters to the Editor

Contracting efficiency

I am currently serving at Leeuwin Barracks in East Fremantle, great location, however, I am carrying a long-term injury and require physio treatment on a regular basis.

No big deal, one would think, until I came here and once again had to relate my long and drawn-out medical problems and start all over again with another health practioner.

I was getting comfortable with my new physio when, lo and behold, she loses her contract to another firm who outbidded her.

The catch is this firm doesn’t actually have a physio on staff so now I am travelling into Fremantle regularly to receive treatment from another physio.

I’m not complaining about travelling into Fremantle, mad if I did.

What I want to know is how in all of this madness is the ADF saving any money?

Sgt Jane Inglis
Co-Ord Trade Training Section
RTC-WA, Leeuwin Barracks WA

Capt Jenny Graham (RAN), Director of Joint Health Support Agency, responds:

Sgt Inglis has raised an important issue about our challenge as a health service to provide a continuity of care to a transitory population base.

It is our goal to ensure personnel with long term injuries receive a level of care that is not diminished by posting turbulence.

The primary role of the health facility at Leeuwin Barracks is to provide effective health services. It should be noted that Leeuwin Barracks has only provided on-base physiotherapy services since January 2002 and personnel previously received physiotherapy service from a number of off-base providers, both military and private.

The establishment of this on-base physiotherapy service was an initiative of the Area Health Service Western Australia (AHS-WA) in order to address health service management issues relating to continuity, access and quality health care for ADF personnel.

It is satisfying to know that the provision of this particular health service is highly regarded and meets the direct needs of Army personnel.

It is unfortunate that Sgt Inglis has focused on the change in physiotherapy services as purely a money-saving venture.

The Defence Health Service (DHS) must be responsible and accountable for expenditure and the management of all resources consistent with relevant legislation and instructions.

However, personnel can be assured that the regional heath service management remains committed to ensuring a quality health care service encompassing all aspects in the delivery of that care such as effectiveness, efficiency, access, quality and safety.

There is a new physiotherapist at Leeuwin Barracks who is already settled into the way in which business is done at Leeuwin.

I trust that Sgt Inglis is now once more receiving her care there, and that the care provided in the interim measured up to the standards she previously enjoyed.

Meals answers

I refer to the letter from Capt Scotty Fryer [Army, May 20] seeking answers to a series of questions regarding the rationale behind the cost of Casual Meal Rates for Service Messes.

There are primarily two different casual meal rates: (a) ADF Casual Meal Rates for Service Messes and (b) Meal Rates for Non-Defence Civilians and Overseas Personnel.

The two sets of meal rates have different histories. Consequently there is no direct relationship or basis for comparison between them.

ADF Casual Meal Rates for Service Messes have their origins in a single combined charge for Living-In-Accommodation (LIA) and meals in messes that was previously known as the Rations and Quarters (R&Q) Charge.

The R&Q Charge was introduced following acceptance by the Government of the recommendations of the Kerr/Woodward Report in the 1970s.

This report did not provide detail as to why the particular R&Q Charge rates recommended should be paid.

From 1978, the R&Q charge was adjusted based on movements in the food component group of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The higher meal charges for officers were originally set on the basis that officers received different levels of service and food from SNCO’s.

The R&Q charge was split into separate charges for LIA and meals on September 3, 1998, with the casual meals charge continuing to be adjusted on the basis of the food component group of the CPI. The meal rates for Non-Defence Civilians and Overseas Personnel are based on a separate major review conducted in 1996 with periodic adjustments since then.

These rates are reflective of the actual cost of providing the meal and therefore the higher price for those meals compared with the subsidised price charged to ADF members.

DPE is aware that over the past few years changes have occurred at several Bases, including the consolidation of mess kitchens, menus and rationalisation of steward service. Further, CSIG’s Business Improvement Project (BIP) is currently examining the hospitality and catering function.

The lack of a coherent basis for setting meal rates in a way that reflects the contemporary situation with messes requires corrective action.

DPE will consider the future basis for setting meal charges in the context of the findings of the BIP review of hospitality and catering.

Ray Bromwich
Acting Director-General
Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions
Campbell Park Offices, ACT

Enjoy your toys

I am a 21-year American Army veteran (retiring next year), and was told of this letter [Army, May 20, Cpl Brett Lyndon, 13CSSB] by a member of a web site that I belong to. He is an Australian soldier and asked my thoughts on this subject, since my chosen profession is an M1 series tank maintenance supervisor.

Cpl Lyndon is right in regards to the alignment of the vehicles, however, this really never arises as a problem since a properly trained M88 operator will automatically align himself as he pulls forward to begin with. Also the tolerances allowed are not as narrow as you would think.

Now I have to accede to the fact that my entire career has been spent with M1s and M88s so it may be a case of “he don’t know no better,” but honestly, it really doesn’t slow the operation down as much as one might think.

It’s probable that the timeframe mentioned by the American mechanics included removing and replacing either the engine or transmission modules.

No self-respecting “wrench” would be caught dead taking six to eight hours to accomplish a task as simple as removing and replacing the powerpack.

Maj Richards has received very good information, but I believe I can go you one better, sir. With a well trained maintenance crew, and simply swapping out the powerpack, you would have your tank headed back to the battlefield in under an hour.

One thing I didn’t see mentioned was crew comfort. When stationed in Germany, I had numerous opportunities to “share” vehicles with our German brothers.

We’d climb in theirs, while they climbed in ours. Nearly every single time, they were shocked at the amount of stowage, equipment, and plain old sleeping room we had inside our M88s.

If you’re needing to live on your vehicle for weeks or even months at a time, it’s always better when you don’t have your buddy’s boots in your face.

I’ve truly enjoyed nearly every moment keeping the beasts running, I’ll miss them and the cameraderie with fellow soldiers.

Enjoy your new toys, brothers.

SFC Dane Kruse
USAOTC
Fort Hood, Texas

Recognition not

I am inquiring as to why Defence as a whole does not recognise some medical specialists.

First, I will give the readers some background as to why I ask this question.

I sustained an ankle injury in November of last year during Defence-recognised sport. I started to receive treatment with the local physio up until my annual leave which commenced in December.

Once on leave I reaggravated the same injury and attended a specialist in my local area ( chiropractor ) which treated me to the same standard and in some cases better than the physio.

I am taking nothing away from the treatment I received from the physio.

The question I ask and I would like someone, somewhere to answer, is why Defence does not recognise chiropractics as a profession?

Does Defence consider this type of treatment “alternative”, if so why?

I ask that the answer is not some person quoting policy to me out of the DI’s etc, as with everything, the reasons behind an answer are always better understood when explained in terms understood by the general populace.

WO2 J. Evans
WO-Caterer
4RAR(Cdo), Holsworthy Barracks, NSW

Answers and advice on taxation

I refer to the letter from Sgt Ian Polanski, ADF School of Catering, published in Army, June 3 [edition number 1098], seeking answers to specific questions regarding section 23AG of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and your foreign earnings during Op Anode.

Our answers to his questions follow.

1. “Will my tax-exempt foreign income be included in my child support assessment?”

Yes, foreign earnings exempt under section 23AG will be taken into account for the purposes of calculating child support payments. Please contact the Child Support Agency (CSA) on (13 12 72 for further information.

2. “Will my Family Assistance Office (FAO) estimate be affected and will I be slugged with an overpayment bill? Or better still, seeing as I didn’t change my estimate from my normal working wage, will I get a cheque in the mail?”

We are not able to comment about whether foreign earnings exempt under section 23AG need to be included in your FAO estimates. We recommend contacting the FAO on telephone number (13 61 50 for further assistance in relation to your specific circumstances.

3. “How will my group certificate look in July? Will it include the foreign tax exempt income or not?”

We are not able to comment about how your payment summary (formerly called group certificate) will look in July.

However, we can advise that foreign earnings exempt under section 23AG are still required to be disclosed in your income tax return as they are used to determine the average tax rate applicable to your other taxable income in Australia.

For example, if you had $25,000 exempt income and $5000 non-exempt income, your Australian tax would be calculated by working out the average rate of tax payable on $30,000 and applying this rate to the non-exempt income of $5000.

For your assistance please refer to the 2002-2003 ADF Income Tax Guide and Solomon Islands Tax Supplement available on the Defence intranet respectively at:

http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/cfo/tax/adf/default.htm and
http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/cfo/tax/adf/guides/03/default.htm

Please note that the information provided is based on current information provided to the Defence Tax Management Office (DTMO) by FAO.

If you have any further questions regarding CSA/FAO payments please contact the relevant Department.

Diva Divakaran
Director, Tax Management
Russell Offices, ACT

CSST, not CSSG

In an article titled “Making merry in Middle Earth – Aussies train on Ex Tasman Reserve” on page 8 of Army edition 1091, the description of the top photo has the quote “... at work in the CSSG workshops”.

There is no such thing as a CSSG. What’s happened here is that the MEAO CSS organisation was refered to in Army and other media as a CSSG (which I assume stands for Combat Service Support Group) and the author has assumed that this is the correct term for a purpose designed formation level CSS asset in support of a specific organisation.

The correct terminology for a purpose designed formation level CSS asset in support of a specific organisation, is CSST (Combat Service Support Team).

That’s my understanding following the LOBC and LOIC, it is possible that it has changed.

This is a small matter, however I believe it is important for correct terminology to be used and not confused for mission specific wordsmithing, in order for everyone to know what we’re talking about.

Nevertheless, it was very pleasing to see CSS elements exercising offshore, a novel concept indeed, as I am unaware of the logistic continum being exercised offshore ever.

I would be interested to know how many days supply 5CSSB deployed with and whether or not the logistic continuum, i.e, something going from DNSDC Moorebank to end user, was, in fact, exercised.

Capt Rob Flynn
S4/ 2IC CSS Sqn
2/14LHR (QMI), Gallipoli Barracks, QLD

It’s not rank, it’s a facet

I was browsing through the Army newspaper, Edition 1094, April 8, and I came across an article titled “Summer job for future bosses”. In this article, the Officer Cadets were referred to as Staff Cadets. The rank of Staff Cadet is only used for ARA Officer Cadets undergoing their training at RMC-A, Duntroon. All other Officer Cadets, including ARA Officer Cadets attending ADFA and Reserve Officer Cadets undergoing their training at a uiversity regiment or a RMC Detachment, hold the rank of Officer Cadet.

This may seem unimportant to some, but it is the same as Warrant Officers can only be addressed as “Sergeant Major” only if they hold a Sergeant Major appointment, e.g. CSM, SSM, BSM and RSM.

These are all parts of Service customs and traditions which are essential facets of the Army.

Lt Alastair Hee
1CSSB, Robertson Barracks, NT

Practise zero tolerance?

Police, politicians, sportspeople stand out from the crowd and are recognised in public when they do good or bad things. Soldiers too, are recognised as representing Australia, its people and their ethos.

Perhaps WO2 Kear (Army, June 3, 2004) should take pride in the fact that we are not just citizens but that the distinctive uniforms, lifestyles and hopefully, ideals of the ADF do make us stand out from the common person.

Perhaps we in the ADF should take a more critical look at those people who bring our Army into disrepute. Do we need druggies, thieves and people who torture animals representing Australia and the Army?

We proclaim zero tolerance – do we practice it?

Capt Dan Hayes
SME, Steele Barracks NSW

Change retirement age

Given that the access age for superannuation has been lifted to 60, and has been mooted to be further lifted to 65, is Defence going to increase the compulsory retirement age also? For those members who serve to 55 and then retire, how are they going to survive until 60 or 65 before being able to access their super on MSBS?

Given there is no incentive to serve for 20 years or longer for members on MSBS, is this going to cause further retention issues? Just a quick thought.

Capt R. J Peace
SME, Steele Barracks NSW

Calling Vietnam vets

As a serving Vietnam veteran (VV) I am very interested in hearing from all other serving VVs – all ranks, all services. Before commencing my current project (monitoring and maintaining a current nominal roll of serving VVs) I received an updated list every three months from a source which did not rely on PMKeys.

Unfortunately that source has gone off-line and PM Keys is unable to provide a similar list. I have therefore gone to Plan B – to create and maintain a simple database to monitor those of us still serving, including anything and everything of interest to us all.

I plan to make this information available through an authorised website on the DEFWEB once I have it up and running, which should be anytime.

At this stage I need to hear from you – the remaining few VVs still serving. I can be contacted via email at: Joseph.Kocka@defence.gov.au

Drop me a line now please. More later.

Maj Joe Kocka
XO CS&O TC, Canungra QLD

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