Reserves
Taking it to the streets

RESERVISTS will take to the streets in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth as part of Defence Reserves 2003 activities on July 6.

Preparing to take part in a Defence Reserves 2003 parade in Brisbane are Squadron Leader Graham Quinn, Warrant Officer Kevin Green and Warrant Officer Gary Thompson.

Preparing to take part in a Defence Reserves 2003 parade in Brisbane are Squadron Leader Graham Quinn, Warrant Officer Kevin Green and Warrant Officer Gary Thompson.

Warrant Officer Barry Taylor carefully packs away the No. 23 Squadron Colours following the march, part of nationwide Defence Reserves 2003 activities.

The Sydney parade will begin in College Street at 11.30am. Three Hawk Lead-In Fighters flown by Reservists from No. 26 (City of Newcastle) Squadron will do three fly overs, ending with a spectacular “bomb burst”.

The Melbourne parade will begin at 10am from Princes Bridge and finish with a service at the Shrine of Remembrance in St Kilda Road at 10.30am. The march will be followed by a Defence Open Day at Victoria Barracks, St Kilda Road, between 10.30am-5pm.

A commemorative service will be conducted in Kings Park, Perth, at 9am. Activities will include displays of military equipment, military bands and a commemorative parade involving Reserve Forces and service associations.

Reservists will also march through the streets of Newcastle on July 5. This march will begin at 10.40am in Watt Street.

Inquiries about Defence Reserves 2003 activities to 1800 803 485.

Changes to ESP scheme

REVISIONS to the Employer Support Payment (ESP) Scheme will apply to claims for periods of service commencing on or after July 1.

At the same time, the former ESP rate of $860.10 a week has been increased to $899.80 in line with changes in average weekly earnings.

The scheme, introduced in June 2001, was reviewed after 12 months of operation.

Deputy Head Reserve Policy and Director of the Scheme Colonel Doug Stedman said Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale had approved the changes.

“The changes are effective from July 1 but will only apply to claims for periods of service commencing on or after that date,” he said. “ESP claims submitted for service commencing before July 1 will still be considered under the pre-July 1 provisions.”

New provisions for self-employed Reservists will exclude pensions from consideration in determining Principal Source of Income but require self-employed Reservists to have derived their Principal Source of Income from their business for a minimum of six months.

Other revisions include the extension of eligibility to receive ESP to employers of Reserve Response Force members after call-out and to Commonwealth departments.
There will also be a separate ESP claim form for self-employed Reservists.

An information guide providing detailed advice on all new provisions has been developed and is available at www.defence.gov.au/reserves and will be circulated to units.

Further information is available from ESP Scheme staff at 1800 001 696.

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