Letters to the Editor

Dedication to duty
ADF praised for approach to mental health
Super fund frustration

HOW TO GET A LETTER PUBLISHED

Dedication to duty

FIRSTLY I would like to congratulate the Government on its decision to recognise the humanitarian effort of our ADF members on Op Sumatra Assist with the issuing of the HOSM.

I would like, however, to inquire as to whether the other significant humanitarian operations performed by the ADF in recent years (Op Ples Drei, the drought relief operation in PNG, the tsunami relief operation at Aitepe in PNG and Op Indo Jaya, the drought relief in Irian Jaya) will also be recognised by the issuing of the HOSM?

I know that those operations did not have the media hype nor were they humanitarian disasters of the same magnitude as the Boxing Day tsunami, however the dedication to duty and selfless acts of the ADF personnel involved in these operations was no less than those involved in Op Sumatra Assist.

On Op Ples Drei there were pilots injured in a King Air crash in the Highlands of PNG.

Is the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of the personnel involved on previous humanitarian operations to be thought of as less than those who served, died and were injured in Indonesia?

Maj Peter Conway
DFSS
Simpson Barracks

Irene Wilson, Director Honours and Awards, replies:

THE Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (HOSM) was established by the Government in 1999 to honour members of recognised Australian groups that render humanitarian service overseas in hazardous circumstances. Circumstances envisaged include service in war zones, during peacekeeping operations or in times of natural disaster or civil strife. Australian groups may be part of, or operating under, the direction of the UN, other international organisations or Australian or international non-government organisations.

To date, the following clasps have been declared: the Balkans, Cambodia, East Timor, Great Lakes (Africa), Iraq, Indian Ocean, Mozambique, Northern Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan and South Vietnam.

The primary purpose of the HOSM is to recognise civilian philanthropic groups for humanitarian relief to communities as a result of civil unrest or conflict.

I note your comments concerning the lack of recognition of those ADF personnel who participated in “significant humanitarian operations” prior to December 2004. The general rule concerning recognition of such service is that medals should be reserved for the recognition of service in military campaigns, peacekeeping or other military activities clearly and markedly more demanding than normal peacetime service.

In November 2000, Defence decided that the HOSM would only be considered for award to ADF personnel where deployment involves medical or philanthropic relief where a real (not perceived) danger from natural elements exist. The Australian Active Service Medal or Australian Service Medal would continue for prescribed warlike or non-warlike operations.

In respect of activities in PNG and Irian Jaya, these operations did not meet with a degree of hazard or threat requiring a commitment to provide a military response under operational circumstances. In respect of the tsunami in PNG in 1998, Defence was not of the opinion that the circumstances of this activity justified a submission to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet to award the HOSM.

The 2004 tsunami in South East Asia was one of the worst natural disasters ever to affect the modern world. Not only did it kill and displace hundreds of thousands of people, it also resulted in the largest international peacetime aid effort in Australia’s history.

Given the extremely hazardous environmental conditions relating to the effort, the Australian Government, as a one off, approved the award of the HOSM under special and separate regulations. An award of the HOSM to ADF personnel for this service meets with the Defence decision of late 2000.

The ADF proved to be an important part of the Australian Government’s national humanitarian relief effort to Indonesia, following both the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the March 2005 earthquake on Nias. The ADF has now been recognised as an eligible organisation to receive the HOSM.

The awarding of the HOSM in the case of the Indian Ocean tsunami recognised the significant contribution of all Australians and takes into account current Australian community expectations and values.

To date, Government policy remains that ADF service in other areas prior to December 26, 2004, will not attract an award of the HOSM.

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ADF praised for approach to mental health

I WISH to commend the military on its mental health policy.

I was diagnosed with depression in August 2005 and was very surprised at the immediate response and range of treatment available through the military medical system.

I have been referred to the appropriate medical specialists and, although still suffering from the symptoms every day, have begun the long and slow recovery process.

Without the fantastic support from the military, and especially from my workmates and family, I would not have recovered as well as I have done.

However, there is still work to be done to raise the awareness of depression and other mental illnesses within the military, especially in regards to their families and friends. There is widespread stigma among the wider public, where people especially with depression are told to “snap out of it”, are treated as crazy or told they have changed.

Mental illness is no different to other ailments such as diabetes or being diagnosed with cancer, except it is a physical condition of the brain. It can be treated and can be cured. There is nothing for others to be frightened of.

I would recommend the development of mental health support groups within the military for those with and/or supporting those with mental illness. It could be similar to the support provided to families with disabled children by the military and would provide much-needed community support for an illness that, I have no hesitation in saying, is the hardest test I have faced in my 29 years.

Capt Dennis Maddock
Joint Logistic Command
Victoria Barracks

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Super fund frustration

I HAVE just recently been informed by MSBS that I have reached my Pension Maximum Benefit Limit (MBL).

This means that under the guidelines of the wonderful organisation of Comsuper I am no longer allowed to contribute to my superannuation fund, that being MSBS, because I have too much money in the fund.

As at December 9 I completed 30 years’ service and will continue to soldier on until I reach compulsory retirement in eight years’ time.

My question to the MSBS board is: why am I not allowed to continue contributing to my superannuation fund when the government is so strong on the welfare of its retirees in the future?

I am therefore being disadvantaged for eight years by not being able to contribute to MSBS.
Does this happen in the public sector? I don’t think so.

I know one thing: like many other service personnel, given the chance to go back to DFRDB I would jump at the chance.

Maybe that’s why they brought in this ruling of not changing back (another ridiculous one), otherwise they would have a fund with nobody in it.

Please if anybody else has faced the same ridiculous situation send me an email and tell me how you fixed the problem.

Hopefully the MSBS board will come to their senses and change the ruling, so that members can plan for a well deserved retirement and not opt to open a second superannuation fund to cover the shortfall by MSBS.

WO2 Steve Derham
DOCM-A
Russell Offices

Bob Harris, Personnel Policy and Employment Conditions Branch, replies:

WO2 Derham’s comments on the MSBS MBL provisions have been referred to the Directorate of Military Superannuation Policy, which has responsibility for the MSBS benefits structure.

As correctly pointed out by WO2 Derham, MSBS members are required to cease “normal” member contributions once their combined member and notional employer benefits reach their pension MBL point.

The MSBS MBL is a scheme design feature that sets a limit on the maximum benefit payable under the MSB Rules. MBLs are common in employer-sponsored defined benefit superannuation schemes, such as the MSBS and Commonwealth Public Sector Superannuation Scheme. The method for calculating MSBS MBLs is largely based on multiples of final average salary (FAS). The MBL calculation formula is updated annually (in July) to reflect movements in average weekly earnings and details of the calculation regime are at page 18 of the MilitarySuper Book, which can be accessed via www.militarysuper.gov.au

Accrued MSBS benefits are not “frozen” once a member reaches his or her MBL and continues to serve. Both components will continue to accumulate independently; the member benefit according to MSB Fund earnings and the employer benefit in line with FAS increases. To illustrate this point, an ADF warrant officer who reached his or her MBL in 2001 and discharged in 2005 received member benefit growth of some $27,000, plus an increase of $105,000 in the employer benefit. These figures are based on a real situation where the individual’s superannuation entitlements continued to increase despite the member making no further contributions throughout the three and a half year MBL service period.

MBL members also have the option of salary-sacrificing an amount equal to their previous personal MSBS contributions into a MSBS ancillary account, or an external superannuation fund.

The MSBS Ancillary Benefits package was introduced on August 1, 2005, and allows serving members to pay additional amounts into the MSB Fund via salary sacrifice, personal contributions, rollovers from other complying funds and spouse contributions. Ancillary contributions do not add to the employer benefit and are not included in MBL calculations.

Regarding the comments about reverting to the DFRDB scheme, in 1990 serving members were provided with a personal information kit before the commencement of the MSBS. The kit contained a message from the CDF, the member’s Personal Information Statement, a transfer election form and three detailed booklets explaining the features of and differences between DFRDB and MSBS. In fact, the Outline of the MSBS book explained that the MSBS sets an upper limit on the benefits that the scheme can pay. Once the total benefit (member contributions with interest, plus the employer benefit) reaches this upper limit contributions must stop. An MBL calculation table was also provided.

DFRDB members were urged to consider career options, family circumstances, retirement lifestyle issues and the monetary values of the benefits available before making any decision to switch schemes. They were also encouraged to phone an information hotline if they had further queries.

The DFRDB Scheme will not be reopened as it no longer meets the Government’s regulatory requirements for superannuation schemes. Any “new” version of DFRDB would need to be significantly redesigned to comply with Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations.

Moreover, before the introduction of MSBS in 1991, the majority of members leaving the ADF did not qualify for DFRDB retirement pay and received only a refund of contributions (with no interest) and, in some cases, a small service gratuity and a 3 per cent productivity benefit.

An internal review of the MSBS MBL provisions has been under way since late November and is expected to be completed by March. WO2 Derham’s letter has been passed to the review team for its consideration. However, any changes to the MBL regime will be subject to resource constraints and require Government approval. It would also be some time before any MSB rule change could be effected.

Finally, please note that the above information is of a general policy nature only. Any personal queries concerning the MSBS MBL or accrued benefits should be directed to the ComSuper telephone advice line in the first instance (1300 006 727).

Members with personal superannuation issues may also wish to seek the assistance of a licensed financial adviser.

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BULLETIN BOARD

2 Training Group
A REUNION for 2 Training Group from Bardia Barracks at Ingleburn will be held on March 11. For more information contact 0412 940 151 or email bardiareunion@optusnet.com.au

Search for friend
PAM is looking for an old friend, Barbara Clark to attend a nurses’ reunion. She doesn’t have Barbara’s contact details, but her father, Maj Tiny Clark, used to live on the married patch in the Sydney area during the 1960s and 70s. If anyone knows where Maj Clark is now or how to get in contact with her, call Pam on 0413 011 918.

ADF athletics
THE ADF Running and Athletics Association will conducting the 2006 ADF Track and Field Championship in Brisbane from February 25-26 at the State Athletic Facility. For more details contact Flg-Off Luke Poli on (08) 8393 3153. For accommodation contact Cpl Gary Ewart on (07) 5461 4926 or visit the ADFRAA website at www.adf.coolrunning.com.au

 

HOW TO GET A LETTER PUBLISHED

Preference is given to letters of fewer than 300 words. Letters will be rejected if they are too long, abusive or can be answered by the author's unit.

They will be published only when they include the author's name, unit, location and contact number.

Send letters to: The Editor, Army newspaper, R8-LG-037, Russell Offices, Canberra, ACT 2600; or email: armynews@defencenews.gov.au