Chief backs Federation’s contribution

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

CDF ACM Angus Houston has welcomed the efforts of the Armed Forces Federation of Australia (ArFFA) during his first meeting with representatives of the Federation since taking the ADF’s top job.

The CDF said ArFFA shared his strong interest in the welfare and conditions of service of ADF personnel.

“As an independent representative body for military personnel, I welcome the Federation’s continued contribution to the development of personnel policies for the ADF and acknowledge the Federation’s ongoing commitment and contribution to all remuneration matters considered by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal,” ACM Houston said.

“ADF personnel are free to become involved with the Federation. The Federation and its continued effectiveness are dependent on a strong membership base.”

High on the meeting’s order of business were the subjects of maternity leave and an extension of the compulsory retirement ages for ADF personnel.

The ArFFA representatives requested that 14 weeks maternity leave be made available to ADF members to bring their entitlement into line with that offered to the APS. As a result of this request, the Head of the Defence Personnel Executive will present a paper on the matter to the Defence People Committee before the end of the year.

ArFFA President Flt-Sgt Gina Goninon said the meeting was a positive start to the relationship with the new CDF.

“ArFFA will continue to raise matters that impact on its members and ADF personnel to ensure an independent voice is heard by the commanders of the ADF,” she said.

“Commanders need to hear what the people at the coal-face are thinking, and ArFFA provides that avenue of communication.”