AIR
Force families posted to Darwin will be cooler this wet season
through a trial that extends an air conditioning allowance to
local ADF families.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale and Member
for Solomon David Tollner said under the trial the Federal Government
would provide financial assistance to ADF personnel and their
families to meet the excessive costs associated with keeping cool
in the hot, humid climate of Darwin.
Mr Tollner said the initiative was expected to save Darwin families
around $600 a year and would “go some way towards easing
the increase in the cost of living associated with living in Darwin”.
The trial took effect from December 10. The air conditioning allowance
will be reviewed over the next 18 months in conjunction with an
assessment of the Darwin trial.
Mrs Vale said a significant part of our Defence Force strength
was located in the north of Australia and the Government “recognises
that we must put in place measures to ensure that ADF members
are willing to be posted to areas such as Darwin, or remain there
on back to back postings or return at some later stage”.
“The peak posting Christmas/New Year period sees most ADF
members and their families arrive in Darwin during the hottest
and most humid time of year.
“For those not acclimatised to these conditions, particularly
those coming from the south, it can be a most uncomfortable and
difficult adjustment to make.
“Feedback from members and their families following postings
to the north reinforces concerns expressed to me during visits
that the climatic conditions experienced in Darwin are a significant
retention issue.”
