I
think the production and distribution of Salary Variation Advices
(SVAs) needs thorough review.
We are supposed to be a people-first organisation yet our SVAs
are being received by members too late.
Twice this year I have received my SVA on or after pay day when
I needed to know I would have no money going through into my “living”
account (to pay for Direct Debits due and the money on which to
“live” for the next fortnight).
Granted my circumstances have been in a state of flux but that’s
the reason we get SVAs, ie. to advise of salary variation, so
we can plan ahead to cover bills as necessary, rather than be
unaware until billed for having insufficient funds by banks and
the Direct Debit companies.
I believe part of the problem involves a change in the location
of SVA printing from Deakin in Canberra to DPUBs in Laverton,
Victoria. If so, being located at Laverton one would assume this
would decrease the time required to reach me (but not the other
souls located around the country).
Surely a better solution can be reached. The pay cut off for variations
is the Friday of the previous pay.
Why does it take almost two weeks to print this information and
have it received by members? Is the problem the demise of unit
orderly rooms? Poor control of mail services? The centralising
of pay offices? DRP/civilianisation?
Is it possible for data migration to occur so the pay system,
PMKEYs system and DRN e-mail be merged somehow so we are e-mailed
a copy of the SVA?
Whatever the problem a solution must be reached ASAP. I imagine
my family is not the only one suffering financially due to SVA
supply issues.
SQNLDR K. Stewart
RAAF Base Williams, Victoria
Official response:
I SHARE your concern at the recent incidence of late delivery
of Salary Variation Advices (SVAs). It is of prime concern to
us that members receive their SVAs by the payday.
The printing of SVAs was transferred from the Defence Computing
Bureau in Deakin to DPUBS in Laverton in January 2003. Recent
problems have been caused by problems with generating the electronic
SVA file for printing by DPUBS, and are not as a result of printing
delays by DPUBS at Laverton. These matters are being addressed
as a matter of priority and will be rectified for any future paydays.
In addition to the corrections being made to the current process
we are looking at more efficient ways of distributing SVAs to
members. Options being pursued include distributed printing at
regional locations and provision of access electronically via
the web.
If you have any specific concerns regarding your pay it is recommended
that you ring your MPAC pay office to obtain early advice of your
pay in the off pay week.
Work is continuing to improve SVA distribution. Any inconvenience
caused by the recent delays is regretted.
Matthew Radisich
Director PMKeyS
Customer Support Centre
on behalf of DEFPAC
Insignia ID sought
 |
I
AM a collector of Royal Australian Air Force memorabilia and have
been since 1974 when I became employed at 2SD.
Among my collection I have a pair of Aeromedical Evacuation insignia
(pictured right)
Can anyone tell when and where they were worn? I have never seen
a photo of anyone wearing them.
Anyone who can assist me in this regard can write to me at 34
Throsby Street, Fairfield Heights, NSW 2165, or contact me on
(02) 9728 3996.
Lindsay Cheal
Fairfield Heights, NSW
Pt
Cook plan makes sense
AS a long-term passionate proponent and busy activist for the
retention of the Air Force property at Point Cook I was extremely
pleased to read the Air Force News article of March 3 concerning
the development of the Point Cook Operations Limited (PCOL) business
plan, the final version having been recently submitted to the
Department of Defence with an expected impartial study by an external
body with a report on the matter later this year.
While an earlier Air Force News article on August 1, 2002, indicated
that various options for Point Cook were under consideration,
no mention was made at that time about the 1999-formed PCOL and
the options under consideration by that non-profit company.
PCOL’s proposed business plan leaves little or no argument
that, if accepted and implemented, would not only ensure preservation
of Australia’s oldest air base and cradle of aviation –
both civil and military – but also provide for utilisation
of appropriate commercial activities, all of which would enjoy
the comfort and certainty of “Commonwealth guardianship”.
This guardianship, in my view, would need to be enshrined in legislation
for guaranteed certainty of continuation.
Finally, should PCOL’s business plan be adopted, I feel sure
it would be safe to say that the many serving and former Air Force
members, as well as patriots and aviators at large, will be gratefully
comforted to know that Point Cook will continue to serve not only
as a heritage preserve but also as an active aviation-linked centre
with both Air Force and general aviation themes.
WGCDR A.E. Ilton (ret’d)
Kirra Beach, Queensland
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