By Graham Howatt, of the Armed Forces Federation

Purchasing and living in one’s own home is often referred to as “the great Australian Dream”, but when it comes to ADF members purchasing their own home in a current posting location that dream can easily turn into a nightmare.

Generally, ADF home owners are expected to occupy their own home, if it’s considered to be a “suitable own home” in their posting location, and forgo their entitlement to a Service Residence (SR).

Members posted to an area where they have a suitable own home would be expected to occupy it and forgo a housing entitlement unless “the home is subject to a residential tenancy agreement that was signed before the member was notified in writing of the posting, and the member makes reasonable efforts to obtain vacant possession of the home as soon as possible after being notified of that posting; or the CDF considers it unreasonable for the member to occupy the home,” according to PACMAN 7.1.2 (1) (a) and (b).

However, when it comes to purchasing a property in the same posting location and it is subject to a residential tenancy agreement, similar conditions do not apply.

The property would be considered as a suitable own home, the member would be expected to occupy it and face eviction from their SR three months after the date of purchase, or seven days after the property settlement, whichever occurs first.

The member may also lose their removal entitlement from the SR to own home. Policy is unclear. Please note that tenancy laws vary between the States and territories.

And, despite all best efforts, vacant possession or cessation of an existing tenancy arrangement may not be possible.

It seems ironic that the ADF assists members in purchasing their own home by access to (limited) Defence Home Loans, the Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (initial purchase) and ongoing assistance through the Home Purchase and Sales Expense Allowance.

Yet, when it comes to a member purchasing a property in their current posting location, they could find themselves thrown on the street. ADF members who occupy their own homes save Defence thousands.

Surely, it would not be unreasonable to further assist potential home buyers by allowing them to remain in their SR until they can take occupancy of the property purchased and preserve their removal entitlement.

The Federation put its position on this issue to Defence officials on May 18.6.

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Surveying the end of an era

LCDR Richard Cullen conducting survey operations for the Royal Navy in the Firth of Forth – Scotland.

An Australian Navy officer has seen the end of an era relating to how Britain surveys her waters.

Hydrographic officer, LCDR Richard Cullen, commenced a Royal Navy exchange posting in July 2003 and was appointed to HMS Roebuck as Operations Officer.

In September, he became the first RAN officer to command a Naval Party. Naval Party (NP) 1008 offshore survey, conducted surveys in support of the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and utilised the commercial vessel MV Marine Explorer.

As CO of NP1008, LCDR Cullen commanded the military survey team and maintained operational control of the vessel. Surveying off the east coast of Scotland until the end of 2003, NP1008 was unexpectedly informed that the MCA would not be renewing the contract with the RN and thus after 20 years, 20,600 square nautical miles surveyed, 40,000 seabed samples, 380 wrecks swept and around 6000 wrecks disproved, NP1008 disbanded.

Upon sailing into Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth for the final time on December 8, a disbanding reception was held with VIP guests from the Australian High Commission London, notably the former Hydrographer of Australia CDRE Geoff Geraghty, Naval Advisor CAPT Victor Jones, and RN Officers including the former First Sea Lord ADML Sir Nigel Essenhigh.

The good news for LCDR Cullen was that he moves on to command the final Naval Party in March 2004.

NP1016 inshore survey will be operating with the latest EM3000 multi-beam sounder conducting routine resurveys on the east coast of the UK from the Thames River in London to the top of Scotland.

Just so his exchange ends on a good note for his return to Australia in 2005, LCDR Cullen will also be responsible for the disbanding of NP1016.

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