SERVICE
on Operation Catalyst has been declared warlike, effective from
July 16.
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Danna Vale said personnel
would receive a package of support and benefits that recognised
the heightened threat in Iraq.
“The package provides comprehensive support to our Defence
Force personnel and their families while our sailors, soldiers
and airmen and women conduct a dangerous mission in our national
interest,” Mrs Vale said.
Deployed personnel qualify for international campaign allowance
of $150 a day for service inside Iraq’s land boundaries,
territorial waters, internal waterways and airspace boundaries.
Personnel serving elsewhere in the Op Catalyst specified area
qualify for $125 a day.
Other benefits include tax exemptions, enhanced home loan provisions
and war service leave accrued at a rate of 1.5 days a completed
calendar month of service.
The signal outlining the service conditions is at www.defence.gov.au/dpe.
ADF members deployed
on Op Catalyst receive:
- Tax-exempt
ADF salary and allowances
- Additional
War Service leave
- Full
coverage under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act and the Safety
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
- Travel
to Australia to reunite with loved ones during a six-month or
longer deployment
- The
Australian Active Service Medal
- Some
members will also be eligible for enhanced home loan assistance
and help for family members to be relocated closer to their
extended family for support during the deployment
