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Minister
releases service conditions for Op Catalyst
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What
you will get for service
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Tax-exempt
ADF salary and allowances.
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Additional War Service leave.
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Full
coverage under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act and
the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act and the
Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
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Travel
to Australia to reunite with loved ones during a six-month
or longer deployment.
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The
Australian Active Service Medal.
Some members will also be eligible for enhanced home loan
assistance and help for family members to be relocated
closer to their extended family for support during the
deployment.
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By
SGT Jonathan Garland
Service on Operation Catalyst has been declared warlike service,
effective from July 16.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale said the
package of support and benefits recognised the heightened threat
situation in Iraq.
“The package provides comprehensive support to our Defence
Force personnel and their families while our sailors, soldiers and
airmen and women conduct a dangerous mission in our national interest,”
she said.
Deployed ADF personnel qualify for international campaign allowance
totalling $150 per day for service inside Iraq’s land boundaries,
territorial waters, internal waterways and airspace boundaries.
Personnel serving elsewhere in the Op Catalyst specified area qualify
for $125 per day.
The Op Catalyst specified area is the total land area, territorial
waters, internal waterways and superjacent airspace boundaries of
Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia
north of 23 degrees north latitude, the Arabian Gulf and the Strait
of Hormuz.
Other benefits include tax exemptions, enhanced home loan provisions
and war service leave accrued at a rate of 1.5 days per completed
calendar month of service.
Members deploying for six months or more gain additional benefits,
including pre-embarkation and disembarkation leave and travel, and
Relief Out of Country Travel Fares Assistance (ROCTFA).
The signal outlining conditions of service for Op Catalyst, as well
as other operations, can be found on the internet at www.defence.gov.au/dpe
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