BRIEFS

Industry forum

Following the announcement of the $113.2 million project to upgrade accommodation for single members of the ADF, the Australian Government has invited industry to attend a Defence Industry Forum to learn more about the project and discuss opportunities for industry to participate.

In the 2004- 05 Budget, the Australian Government announced Project Single LEAP (Living Environment and Accommodation Precinct), a $113.2 million project to deliver modern accommodation for ADF personnel primarily through Public Private Partnerships.

Interested parties must register to attend.

To register please follow the links at www.defence.gov.au/id.

Registrations will close on Wednesday 26 May 2004.

Enquiries should be directed to Captain Rob Glanvill on telephone (02) 6266 8016 or e-mail
rob.glanvill@defence.gov.au.

The Defence Industry Forum will be held in Sydney at the Lyceum Theatre, Wesley Conference Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney on May 28, commencing at 10am (registration from 9.15 am).

Sub reunion

A group of retired submariners had an unexpected reunion when the submarine presentation team visited Alice Springs recently.

The seven-day visit by team members WOEWASM Shane Richards, CPOAWASM Ralph Jeffree and ABEWASM Lisa Turner attracted the attention of three former submariners who were previously unaware of each others’ presence in the city.

Former WOMTSM Ian Prodger, who left the Navy in 1992, met up with two former shipmates and he is hoping to set up a new ex-servicemans club in Alice Springs.

Team leader WO Richards said the visit was a good opportunity to show the white ensign in a city that doesn’t get to see many ships sail by – apart from the annual Henley on Todd River regatta.

The team visited three schools, took part in Anzac Day activities, and met up with the local RSL club and Alice Springs Council.

Learning day

Six young people from the Western Australia area recently spent a day onboard HMAS Adelaide to find out what life is like at sea.

The six are the first to try a new defence recruiting initiative that allows potential recruits to spend a day at sea before deciding on whether they want to join up.

The program is an initiative of Perth Defence Recruiting (LEUT Rob Ratkovic).

The group was interested in a variety of specialisations although many were keen in working below decks as a Marine Technical sailor.

The group was treated to a variety of evolutions.”

Extra payday

There will be 27 paydays instead of the normal 26 paydays in the financial year 2004-2005.

Fortnightly taxation instalments are deducted based on annual taxable salary paid over a period of 26 paydays.

However, because there will be 27 paydays in the financial year 2004-2005 members may experience a shortfall in tax payments.

To minimise an end of financial year tax shortfall, members can voluntarily request their servicing pay office to arrange for additional tax to be deducted from their fortnightly salary.

Should members have any doubts on the need to increase their taxation deduction they should seek professional financial advice from an approved financial adviser.

DEFPAC will be shortly releasing a DEFSAAC providing further details on the tax implications of 27 paydays for financial year 2004-2005 and providing advice to all servicing pay offices on the procedures to assist members who decide to have additional tax deducted.

Submarine ball

A gala ball will be held in Fremantle on Friday October 22 to celebrates 90 years of submarines in Australia. The ball will feature a brief video and presentations chronicling the four classes of submarines, AE1 and AEII, T boats, Orions and Collins, that have been in service in the Australian Navy since 1914.

A submarine FEG forum will be held on the same day when four submarines will be alongside at HMAS Stirling. The ball will be held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle and is expected to be the highlight of the submarine squadron’s 2004 social calendar.

Further details about the ball will be published closer to the date.

Contact ABCIS Rowena Hudson on (08) 9553 3067.

Seating is limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Contract awarded

National Jet Systems has won a five-year government contract to fly to Christmas and Cocos Islands maintaining vital communications and transport links with the two territories.

Two return services between Perth and the islands are being provided each week using Avro RJ70 four engined aircraft.

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