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Safe as houses
AASAM is on target for 2004
Fire for Effect
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Front
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Everyone
likes a bit of change from $2 when they buy a drink.
Photo by Pte Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper
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COULD someone
please advise me on how unit boozers can be forced to buy through Frontline
and only purchase outside if Frontline cannot provide?
This creates some dilemma for me personally, as I would think it does
for others.
It is part of the non-public monies course and a practice required for
purchases for Defence that three quotes be sought for purchasing items,
or there is an extensive contract in place to meet a need. For example,
Qantas has a contract to provide services for defence.
How is it then boozers are forced to purchase through Frontline? I see
no contract providing good prices – at times prices are cheaper outside.
I watch Frontline boozers close in places as the patronage drops. Members
used to go to boozers as prices were cheap, not any more.
As for general prices, I can get a 600ml bottle of Diet Coke from Frontline
for $2.40, yet not far from the base $1.80.
Why is it not open to the public. What would the fair trading act have
to say about it I wonder
Cpl T.R Gibson
Lt-Col Chris Goodreid, SO1 Corporate Services Army Headquarters replies:
The concerns raised by Cpl Gibson are unfortunately commonplace and are
based on a total misunderstanding of the role and services that Frontline
provides to Army and Air Force. Frontline is a Defence organisation, set
up by Regulation under the Defence Act to provide amenities services in
both deployed and base environments.
It is managed by a board, with directors appointed by the Minister Assisting
the Minister for Defence, which includes military representatives from
both Army and Air Force.
Frontline provides a range of services including canteens, convenience
stores, retail electrical products and Pay-Plan, involving interest free
loans for the purchase of a range of goods.
Frontline operates within a limited market on a commercial and self-supporting
basis. In accordance with its charter, Frontline aims to return the majority
of profits from turnover and sales to Army and Air Force in the form of
dividends.
In the past 10 years, more than over $6.1 million (more than 80 per cent
of profits) has been returned to Army and Air Force in the form of dividend
payments supporting welfare and amenities funds.
These are distributed to bases and units, taking into account the volume
of sales and profits generated through Frontline purchases.
The CA has directed that messes and clubs are to make bulk alcohol purchases
through Frontline. This ensures consistency in purchasing arrangements
and maximises returns to Army through sales which generate dividends and
support the range of products and services that Frontline provides.
Frontline has also provided significant sponsorship, over $800,000 in
the last ten years, to unit sports activities and commemorative celebrations.
In order for Frontline to operate commercially and remain profitable,
its prices cannot always compete with all retail competitors.
Frontline does, however, aim to remain competitive with convenience stores
and accordingly it conducts regular surveys of its prices against market
competitors. In recent price surveys of alcohol sold by competitors, Frontline
has been able to equal or better prices in Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney
and Melbourne.
While there is always the opportunity to seek cheaper prices off base,
this has to be considered against the convenience of on base shopping.
Frontline will also consider price-matching on a range of goods, where
requested, provided that there is clear evidence of the competition price.
While I acknowledge Cpl Gibson’s concerns, in the first instance
I would hope that he had raised these through his CO or OC so that any
confusion arising from his experience on the NPMA course could be satisfactorily
answered.
TOP
Safe
as houses
I AM to
be posted in the 2004 /2005 posting cycle. After filling out the required
paperwork and forwarding it to my gaining area’s DHA office, I
was allocated access to Home Find. After speaking to a DHA representative,
I was informed that once I had selected a MQ in the new location they
would lock down that house for my family.
I proceeded to select a house that suited our requirements perfectly
and was informed by DHA that I could not have it as it had been vacant
since July 2004 and they required it for allocation ASAP.
I thought that having access to such multimedia as Home Find, would
benefit many families and their requirements, as it would ease the transition
into a new area and give the opportunity of a door-to-door removal,
thus saving a lot of stress involved with moving house. I have since
found this is not the case.
I have also found that as a home owner, I am being disadvantaged. I
spoke to a DHA representative in my current location, who informed me
that on sale of my own home I would have to move into a MQ, even if
it was only a week before my entitled removal was to occur to my new
posting locality.
I know of a family that had been in a similar circumstance to myself
and on sale of their house they were put into temporary accommodation
for two months in a hotel.
Now I ask if the precedence has already been set, why isn’t it
the same for everyone?
Cpl Stuart Griffin
JLU (NQ)
DHA National Operations Manager Kevin O’Brien replies:
Without knowing full details of these circumstances there may be an
explanation for the allocation situation.
DHA has introduced a new procedure to enable members to preview HomeFind
prior to submitting their Application for Relocation (AFR). HomeFind
preview shows all dwellings available for occupation – regardless
of their date of availability. This can provide greater flexibility
in coinciding relocation date with housing availability, as well as
taking advantage of a door to door removal.
A DHA consultant discusses suitable properties with the member, and
if the member is able to occupy the residence within a reasonable vacancy
period the property will be reserved for that member.
This reserved property is held until their AFR has been submitted. It
is not practical for DHA and Defence to hold properties vacant for six
months as it would disadvantage another member who is able to move earlier.
On the second issue, Defence policy is to provide assistance for accommodation
for members who do not own a suitable home in their posting locality.
Should a member sell their home which they are occupying prior to posting,
then DHA will assist the member into alternative accommodation.
Depending on the gap between the settlement date and the departure date
DHA may approve temporary accommodation for short periods or approve
Rent Allowance (RA) for a longer period if this is appropriate. It is
not our practice to place members into a service residence for short
periods – certainly not one week.
TOP
AASAM
is on target for 2004
IN reply
to Sgt Fitzmaurice’s letter, Army [September 23], which raised
some concerns about the modified format for AASAM 04.
There has been little change with regard to soldiers competing at AASAM.
This year’s competition consists of three major components.
The Champion Shot of the Army (CSA), remains the opportunity for the
Army’s Top 100 marksmen to compete and be recognised as Army’s
Top Shot.
The Australian Army Individual and Team events allows formation selected
teams from Land Command to compete against each other and the International
competition pits up to 15 International Teams, RAAF, RAN and the AFP
against the Australian Army Combat Shooting Team (AACST).
These latter two events will occur concurrently, allowing for soldiers,
sailors and Airmen at all levels to be exposed to and participate in
top level international shooting.
The CSA match is open to all regular and reserve members of the Australian
Army who have applied and been accepted to compete, whether forming
part of a team or not.
In order to apply, individuals must have achieved a “First Class
Shot” score of 210 points or better in a live fire AMP (LF 18A
or LF 18B) using F88 with standard 1.5 Optic Sight fitted.
This is to have occured in the 11 months between November of the previous
year and October in the year of competition.
This allows all soldiers to participate in the CSA matches.
All applicants with a score of 210 points or better will be ranked to
determine the Army’s top 100 marksmen, who will then be invited
to compete.
This provides an equitable and transparent process, open to all, which
will allow those personnel possessing the required skill levels acquired
through training to participate, thus preserving the credibility of
the gazetted CSA Medal and the competition.
WTSS, although an excellent enhancement to marksmanship training through
the simulation medium, does not totally replicate all environmental
conditions such as wind, rain, dust, battlefield noise and extremes
in temperature.
Firing live ammunition on a live fire range under conditions closely
resembling battle provides a more appropriate test of marksmanship ability
applicable for Army.
Without those environmental considerations, personnel attempting to
qualify for CSA on WTSS may have an unfair advantage over those who
attempt to qualify on a live fire facility.
Additionally many reserves in outlying areas would potentially be excluded.
In summary, the aim of AASAM is to further develop combat focused marksmanship
proficiency across a wide spectrum of the ADF.
AASAM has always been and is still the Australian Army’s premier
shooting competition, fully focused on relevant, challenging and competitive
combat shooting.
All information relating to AASAM 04 may be found on the AASAM Website
on DEFWEB.
Maj Ken Irving
Small Arms Wing
Gallipolli Barracks, Qld
TOP
Recruiting
reunion
ALL former members, and civilian staff of 3 Army Recruiting Unit (Broadmeadows)
and Army Recruiting Display Unit (Brunswick) located in Victoria and
Tasmania during the 1970s and 1980s are called up for a reunion.
It has been decided to hold the reunion during spring of 2006.
Once we have a significant number of interested members and civilian
staff, we will re-advertise with specific dates and place of venue.
Lance Stokes
Please contact Mr Stokes on stoke_em@bigpond.com
or 0417 062646
TOP
Looking
for friend
I WOULD like to find a friend, who is married to a man in the Army.
My friend, Jane Parker nee Lear (originally from Kingaroy, Queensland)
is married to Steven Parker (originally from Orange, NSW).
The last address I have was Mosman, NSW. I have not heard from them
in nine years and would love to be able to get in contact again.
If anybody knows this couple could you please pass on my e-mail address
which is: mgharvey@bigpond.com
Lisa E Harvey
TOP
Airborne
reunion
THE Australian (Down Under) Chapter XI of the International Society
of the 173rd Airborne Bde will host the 2005 Society Reunion in Sydney,
during the period June 30, 2005 to July 9, 2005.
The reunion will be conducted at Penrith Panthers World of Entertainment
and Holiday Inn Motel, located on Mulgoa Road, Penrith.
Any person that served with 1RAR (Group) 1965-1966 are welcome to attend
as are any who served with, or later served with, units that made up
the group, or anyone interested.
Carey McQuillan
Any inquiries should be directed to PO Box 501 Croydon Park NSW 2133.
TOP
Want
an old duck
I’M looking for an old Army duck (inflatable kind) to buy for
a tour business. If anyone knows where I can source one, please let
me know at armurray5@bigpond.com
Anthony Murray
TOP
ARFFA
conference
THE Armed Forces Federation of Australia and DPE is holding a two-day
workshop October 21-22 at Country Comfort Inn 53-57 Yass Road Queanbeyan.
For more information or to enrol in the workshop, contact Graham Howatt,
graham.arffa@bigpond.com
TOP
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.
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