ADF puts case for service allowance rise

The ADF has put forward a case seeking a 20 per cent increase in Service Allowance, which will be considered by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) when it sits this month.

Chief of Defence Force General Peter Cosgrove said the ADF had evidence to support its claim for an increase, which the DFRT will examine on April 23 and 24.

Service Allowance was last reviewed by the DFRT in 1994, at which time a 16.6 per cent increase was awarded.
Since then the allowance has increased by 30.3 per cent as a result of pay increases under various agreements, and currently stands at $7321 per annum.

Should the DFRT agree to the 20 per cent increase, the allowance, under the ADF proposal, will rise by $1464 per annum for eligible personnel.

However, the Armed Forces Federation of Australia (ARFFA) does not agree that a flat 20 per cent increase is sufficient.

According to the federation, the ADF proposal does not recognise those who endure, or commit to endure, the disabilities that attract payment of Service Allowance for accumulative and extended periods of service.

ARFFA’s preferred option is for a tier system, which recognises length of service, to be introduced.

Meanwhile, under the current provisions, officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (equivalent) and above are not eligible for the allowance and the ADF proposal does not intend to change this eligibility.

ARFFA, however, believes that LTCOL (E) ranks should be included in the next Service Allowance increase, because not doing so “would cause pay compression between the Major (equivalent) and higher ranks.”

The federation has also proposed that the increase to Service Allowance - regardless of structure - be backdated to November 6, 2002.

.