Minister ups mail limit
Gov’t answers family issues

The Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Mrs Danna Vale has announced the doubling of cost free mail, which loved-ones can send to personnel serving in Operation Falconer.

She said families could now send mail up to a maximum of two kilograms per item free through Australia Post.

“Australia Post has advised it may take a day or two for all of its offices to implement the new maximum limit,” Mrs Vale said on April 11.

“Overseas deployment is a fact of life for many Australian Defence personnel,” she said.

“The Federal Government and Defence recognise the importance of receiving mail, gifts and news from home.

“Following concerns raised by families who were unable to send items they wished to loved-ones, I have asked Defence to double the limit to accommodate those concerns.

“This initiative is a tangible measure of the Government’s support for both Defence members and their families,” Mrs Vale said.

While the free mail service is only available to families of Defence members all Australians can send their messages of support free to Defence personnel using the Internet on messagetothetroops@defence.gov.au or fax 1800 643 938.

Those wanting to send message of support to the families of deployed members the site is:
ourfamilies@defence.gov.au.

So far more than 17,500 support messages have been received.

Mrs Vale said the Federal Government joins the Australian people in commending the excellent job our Defence personnel are doing for our nation.

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