Living
with uncertainty
By
Graham Howitt
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Will
single members be disadvantaged by the new policy on living
in accomodation?
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Photo
by PTE John Wellfare
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SHORTLY
before last Christmas, the ADF announced the introduction of a
new living-in accommodation (LIA) policy that took effect on February
10.
We understand a message was circulated far and wide but having
recently returned from visits to Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base
Williams - Point Cook, together with seeking feedback from Federation
representatives nationwide, it would be fair to say there was
little, if any, consultation on the new policy and a serious lack
of knowledge about the changes made.
That said, the Federation was also left in the dark and is bemused
by what seems to be a lack of consideration for members without
dependents (MWOD) who continue to battle for equity with their
married counterparts in regard to accommodation entitlements.
By now, ADF personnel should know more about the new policy and
be aware that the significant change is that only members who
are “required to live-in” are entitled to LIA.
Members “not required to live-in” have no entitlement to LIA but
may apply to live-in and be allocated a room if that accommodation
is not needed for a member “required to live- in”.
Members
may be required to livein for one of the following reasons:
The
onus for determining the LIA status of the MWOD and members with
dependants – separated lies with commanding officers. If COs provide
accommodation to members without an entitlement, it would be for
up to 12 months and subject to review.
The concern here is that each CO’s perspective will be different
and a consistent approach regarding the allocation of LIA throughout
the ADF seems unachievable.
That is certainly not the case for members with dependants and
is an area of policy that needs further attention. It was wise
for the ADF to provide a transitional plan of up to 12 months
and deem all those currently occupying LIA as “required to live
in”.
The Federation supports that initiative, but once the honeymoon
period is over and, in the longer term, MWODs face a degree of
uncertainty in regard to the availability of LIA without any relaxation
of current rental allowance provisions.
The Federation does not agree with that approach and suggests
that the MWOD-plus-five rule be scrapped.
The Federation has also suggested that as not much is known about
the revised policy, the Directorate of Housing and Removals Policy
needs to promulgate a series of a LIA scenarios together with
a range of frequently asked questions to better inform ADF members
of their new accommodation entitlements.
There
is a shortage of suitable LIA. Parts of the previous LIA policy
had some ambiguity about the reasons for living-in.
The reasons for requiring MWOD to live-in were thoroughly discussed
by the Defence People Committee and the Chiefs of Service Committee
and are now clearly stated in the new LIA policy.
The new LIA policy supports capability by giving priority occupancy
of LIA to those MWOD who are required to live-in.
This is the main change. Commanding officers now have a clear
policy framework within which to make consistent decisions as
to who will be required to live-in. LIA not needed by those required
to live-in may be offered to MWOD who wish to live-in.
Where no suitable LIA is available, MWOD – regardless of whether
or not they are required to live-in – are entitled to Rent Allowance
(RA). This is the
same
policy principle that applies to members with dependants (MWD).
Where a MWD is eligible for housing assistance and a suitable
DHA house is not available, the MWD is entitled to RA.
MWOD who do not own their own home in their posting locality are
currently entitled to Commonwealth provided accommodation or RA,
just like MWDs, and will continue to be entitled. I plan to submit
a more detailed article on the LIA policy changes in the next
two months.
In the meantime, I encourage members to read about the new policy
on the intranet at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/pac
or on the internet at http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/pac.
Go to “what’s new” and look for the reference to living-in
accommodation.
Adrian
Wellspring
Director Housing and Removals Policy
Editor’s
note: a story on the livingin policy changes appeared in the February
24, 2005, edition on page 5.
