Letters to the Editor

Digger's spirit
Split super
How to make a super choice
Fire for Effect

How to write to Army News

Sick of your rubbish

WHO will win the Tidiest Barracks Award for 2004? I am willing to bet my entire income for the next financial year on who won't - Holsworthy Barracks.

This is clearly evident in the 14 assorted foodstuff packaging items, 12 bottles, nine cans, three cardboard boxes and two cigarette packets I collected one fine Saturday morning on my way to the gym, along a less than 500m stretch, from the front gate along MacArthur Drive.

Let's not forget also the three unopened cans of a six pack of Jim Beam found suspended in a tree and the two ash trays overflowing with cigarette butts someone had thoughtfully placed only metres away from a memorial.

It would seem that members of 3RAR would have every right to be upset about this last item; its an insult.

To keep the results objective, the rubbish I collected was, of course, including only those items found well within the perimeter of the barracks past the front gate, those found along MacArthur Drive up to the gym, and those that extended beyond the length or width of my hand.

Perhaps it all just got blown into the barracks on the winds of the wild west, maybe pixies placed it there or we have been paid a stinking visit by Oscar the Grouch.

Is it an unexplainable phenomenon? ... Somehow, I don't think so. It's just sheer laziness and shows a complete disregard for an environment in which people live and work. I'd like to know of anyone who does this at home, perhaps it is normal behaviour for them to enjoy their surrounds as a sloth.

Yes, at present my money is on ARTC to take out the first place prize; at least within this establishment rubbish collection is enforced on recruits as part of their morning duties.

I should know, it used to be mine. I count myself very fortunate indeed that I have not yet completed my IET for ECN 4000 Emu Bob - it looks as though it could be a tough trade.

Pte M Turner
142 Signal Squadron
Malaya Lines, Holsworthy Barracks

Diggers' spirit

PATRICK Lindsay has recently produced a wonderful book The Spirit of the Digger, replete with anecdotes and quotes from Aussie legends and concluding with reflection from SF commander, Maj-Gen Duncan Lewis on SASR performance in Iraq.

Patrick reflects on the essence of the Digger spirit, especially witnessed in acts of mateship, courage and compassion, it is a must-read for every soldier.

It reflects the war winning ethos of our Army tradition. It is particularly timely in the light of recent media attention to allegations of unsoldierly behaviour. Mistreatment of trainees, and lack of compassion for the injured is contrary to our ethos.

It bewilders me that abuse of authority by a small number of training staff continues to disgrace our Army's image, despite crystal clear Rules for a Fair Go, and the positive guidance provided in Training Command's Code of Conduct.

I have come to assume there continues to be a few people who consider that harassment, humiliation and abuse are better training mediums than the fair, firm and friendly approach that has been a mainstay of effective soldiering in my 34 years of Army service.

Abusive behaviour is a disease brought in from our wider society that has no place in the Army and never has. Our Army's tradition of demanding physical training, with plenty of affirmation always produces a better outcome.

Injured soldiers will recover quicker with support and appropriate rehabilitation. Initiative , integrity and courage are nourished by trust, camararderie, and the confidence that your unit members will always look after you.

We need self disciplined soldiers who will risk their lives for what they believe in. A climate of fear does not produce this.

Clearly we must do better in inculcating our people with attitudes that reflect how we can bring out the best in people.

I have no doubt there will be a number of top-down initiatives in the pipeline. I hope that reinstatement of character development in promotion courses could assist.

But an initiative from the grass roots is also required. Any time spent in units on reflection of the key values undergirding our profession by JNCOs and officers will bring these basic human values to the fore.

Men and women at the coal face have to come to acknowledge that positive affirming leadership that encourages and inspires, will produce better soldiers than negative and humiliating abuse.

I am proud to be an Australian soldier and proud of our tradition. But we need to keep hearing the good news stories of our past, and reflecting upon them, to make our contribution to the continuance of this tradition.

I enthuisastically commend the reading of Patrick Lindsay's anecdotes, and notably the final one by Maj-Gen Lewis, which echo the opinion that our courageous soldiers have always been compassionate.

We might get rare opportunities to display physical courage, but our character still has frequent opportunities for exercise, by positive acts of compassion.

Chap Gary Stone
RTC-SQ

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Split super

In the June 3, 2004 edition of Army we ran a letter of concern about superannuation split after a marriage breakdown.

Brian Paule from Defence Super replies:

The writer raises issues regarding Family Law and Superannuation Splitting, including Scheme Specific Factors for the DFRDB.

Your writer is also concerned regarding the progress of Bills through the Parliament, a matter that is not within Defence's control. Superannuation is complex and advice regarding an individual's circumstances should be sought from a licenced financial service provider and/or family law practitioner.

This fact notwithstanding the following general information is offered.

Before December 28, 2002, superannuation could be taken into account as a financial resource for property settlement purposes but the individual superannuation entitlements could not be split.

The new Family Law legislation, which came into effect on 28 December 2002, facilitates the splitting of superannuation interests on separation or divorce and provides "default" factors for valuing a superannuation interest.

Following these 2002 changes, both parties to a property settlement generally have several options. They can agree to adjust the division of other property to compensate for superannuation imbalances, they can agree on a division of superannuation assets themselves by means of a binding agreement, or the Family Court can determine the division of superannuation interests.

A flagging order may also be imposed by a court that prevents superannuation fund trustees from paying out benefits pending the determination of a formal splitting agreement or splitting order.

The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Family Law & Other Matters) Act 2004 amends legislation covering Defence, Commonwealth public sector and politicians' superannuation schemes to provide for a separate interest approach to the division of superannuation interests at the time of a marriage breakdown.

The Act came into effect on May 8, 2004. The default factors and methods set out in the Family Law legislation do not accurately reflect the value of the military superannuation scheme benefits and the Attorney-General has now agreed scheme specific factors and methodologies for both the DFRDB and the MSBS.

These Australian Government Actuary-based specific factors and methods recognise the unique benefit design of the military superannuation schemes and must be used from May 12, 2004.

There are detailed information sheets available to members that relate to family law and super at:

http://www.dfrdb.gov.au/info_sheets/dfi01.pdf and http://militarysuper.gov.au/info_ sheets/msi01.pdf.

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How to make a super choice

CAN someone let me know what the latest is with regards to MSBS and recent changes in legislation?

Maybe I've missed something recently, but I've heard that workers across the country now have a choice of funds available to them.

As I understand it, you can't be told where to put your compulsory super contributions. Now, does that apply to we happy few who wear the floral ensemble to work, or did Defence obtain an exemption whereby we remain locked into MSBS?

Second, the Super Co- Contribution scheme (yes, the thing with the oversized piggy bank receiving workers' spare shekels on the TV ads) has apparently had a qualifying income ceiling increase to 58,000 dollars.

That puts a lot of diggers and JNCO's in a position where they may receive some additional funds for their retirement, be it ever so little, but every bit counts.

The question is, do we as compulsory contributors qualify for this scheme, and if so, how do we access it? Can someone from Comsuper let us all know? The web site does not appear to have been updated since May this year.

LCpl J.J. Gardner
Victoria Barracks, NSW

Brian Paule, Director Superannuation, responds:

Your writer raises issues regarding the Government's proposals on choice of superannuation funds and co-contributions.

The questions have been asked from an MSBS perspective, but the response is applicable to DFRDB scheme readers as well.

Your readers need to be reminded that Superannuation is complex and advice regarding an individual's circumstances should be sought from a licenced financial service provider. Notwithstanding, the following general information is offered.

Choice of super fund
The Government has recently had legislation pass through the parliament regarding choice of superannuation funds.

The legislation will generally allow Australian workers to decide where to direct their employer superannuation contributions. Note that the legislation does not apply to employee superannuation contributions deducted from an individual's pay.

Moreover, there are specific clauses in the legislation that rule out the military superannuation schemes from being eligible for choice as they are unfunded (or part unfunded) superannuation schemes. Put simply, the choice legislation has no impact on the military superannuation schemes.

Co-contributions
Your writer correctly identifies that the government has legislated for the superannuation co-contribution scheme to apply to workers with a salary of up to $58,000.

The government's legislation has made more people eligible for the scheme and increased the amount of co-contribution paid to most eligible people, from the 2004-05 financial year.

The legislation increases the maximum income for eligibility from $40,000 to $58,000 a year, with the maximum co-contribution rising from $1000 to $1500, at a salary of $28,000 a year.

The maximum co-contribution reduces as salaries rise until completely phased out at salaries above $58,000 a year.

The basics of the scheme are that the government will contribute $1.50 for every $1.00 of an eligible employees personal superannuation contributions (those deducted from your pay) up to the maximum threshold applicable to each employee.

You need do nothing to claim the co-contribution other that to submit your annual taxation return. That will provide the necessary information for the co-contribution to be deposited into your superannuation account.

More information can be obtained from www.ato.gov.au/super or from the Tax Office's Superannuation Infoline on 13 10 20. Members of MSBS and DFRDB should contact the Military Superannuation contact centre on 13 23 66, or visit the web-site at: www.comsuper.gov.au.

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Vietnam web site up
THE response from serving Vietnam Vets to my notice in Army last month has been tremendous. The Serving Vietnam Veterans web site is now a reality and has been viewed by over a thousand members. Unfortunately my first article could not contain the web address as it did not exist at the time. It does now: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/Sites/Vietnam%20Vets/

Maj Joseph R Kocka
CS&O Wing, HQ RTC, Caunugra

Serving from Scheyville
HAVING read Maj Joe Kocka's letter to Army last month requesting contact by any serving Vietnam Veterans reminded me that I should do a similar thing. I am a former, but still serving, National Service Officer and am compiling a data base on Scheyville OTU National Service Officers, pilots and other National Servicemen who were commissioned.
The ultimate aim is to write a book on the subject and I would like to hear from any of those officers who served on, either ARA or reserve. I am interested to know how many are still serving. I know of three others: Maj-Gen Paul Irving (2/72), Comd 2nd Division, Brig Mike Hannan (4/70), Public Relations and Lt-Col Mike Tabone (1/68), AHU Oral Historian.
If you are a serving former National Service Officer, or know of any, I can be contacted at neil.leckie@defence.gov.au

Maj Neil Leckie (3/68),
8/7 RVR, Vic

Thanks for housing help
I have recently accessed both the HPAS and Defence Homeowner Schemes, and had occasion to assist another member to do the same. I found both processes logical and easy to follow, information readily accessible, and the staff involved extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I would like to publicly thank those involved with these two schemes for their efforts and urge others to take advantage of these generous entitlements.

WO2 KR Davies
4CSSB

Delta 4 reunion
Thirty-three years after the last combat infantry company withdrew from South Vietnam, we are planning the greatest reunion ever. This reunion is to include all those who served in Delta 4's second tour and the last fighting soldiers to leave Vietnam at the end of the war. The reunion is to be held at Tweed Heads, Queensland between the 19-23 September.

For more information contact:

Joe Russell, 10 Pl, 82 Tooloona St Tugun Qld 4223, (07) 5534 4076,

Warren Dowel, 11 Pl CHQ, 30 Barrine St Worongary Qld 4213, (07)5578 3229,

Bob Meehan, 12 Pl, 1951 Springbrook Rd, Springbrook, Qld 4213, (07) 5533 5620.

Garry Sloane
Brisbane, Qld

Fire your well-aimed shots at a deserving target through the Fire For Effect column. Keep them short and snappy. Longer letters will be edited.

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HOW TO WRITE TO ARMY NEWS

It is the right of all soldiers to correspond with Army. Soldiers wishing to air their views through letters to the editor have access to the newspaper without using the chain of command.

Letters will be edited for spelling and grammatical errors and newspaper style, and may be edited for space.

Preference is given to typed letters of fewer than 300 words. Letters will be rejected where they are too long, abusive, cover a subject that has been exhausted or can be answered in the author’s unit.

They will be published only when they include the author’s name, unit (where applicable), location and contact number.

Send letters to: The Editor, Army Newspaper, R8-LG-029, Russell Offices, Dept of Defence, Canberra, ACT 2600. Phone (02) 6266 7612, fax (02) 6265 6690 or e-mail : armynews@defencenews.gov.au (Please note this is not an internal e-mail address and therefore requires Sec: Unclassified in the subject line when sending from a DRN terminal)

The opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not represent the views of the editor or the Army.