Timor-Leste non-warlike
Operation Astute conditions announced

Volume 48, No. 10, June 15, 2006

FLGOFF Rachel Anaya and LAC Lane Hamilton prepare to unload an aircraft in Dili as part of Operation Astute.

Photo by LAC Rod Welch

* Operation Astute has been declared ‘Non-Warlike’ in an announcement by the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, on June 7. More than 2500 ADF personnel will be affected by the Timor-Leste conditions of service, which includes a tax-free deployment allowance of $78.60 a day, in addition to the normal salary. Air Force members with dependents deployed in the field will receive $127.99 a day, and members without dependents will receive $121.47 a day. Additional recreation leave, military compensation and rehabilitation coverage and tax concessions are other possible benefits of the deployment. The Australian Service Medal with clasp Timor-Leste will be awarded.

ADF operations in Timor-Leste under Operation Astute have been declared ‘Non-Warlike’.

Details of the Timor-Leste conditions of service package that will affect about 2500 ADF personnel were announced on June 7 by the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, on his visit to Timor-Leste.

The announcement reflected Defence’s assessment that the situation in Timor-Leste, while unstable, did not meet conditions that warranted a higher classification.

Operation Astute attracted a tax-free Deployment Allowance of $78.60 a day in addition to normal salary. Other environmental allowances, such as Field Allowance or Seagoing Allowance, would also be paid to those eligible.

“This brings the financial package to $127.99 a day for a soldier deployed in the field who also has dependants in Australia, and $121.47 a day for those without dependants,” Dr Nelson said.

“All ADF personnel deployed for 91 days or more may have all ADF income and benefits treated as tax-free from the date of their deployment.

“Other benefits include an additional accrual of recreation leave, comprehensive military compensation and rehabilitation coverage, and taxation concessions that depend upon the length of deployment.

The Australian Service Medal, with clasp ‘Timor-Leste’, will also be awarded.

Families back in Australia will continue to be offered a range of practical, emotional and emergency support through the Defence Community Organisation and the ADF’s National Welfare Coordination Centre.

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