AVADSC Comments on "You and Your Pension".
Letter to the PM Re: SASR Trust Fund
Letter to the PM raising concerns about the $10m grant to the SAS Association Resources Trust.
Have you notified DVA of your Internet connection = $$.
At Ease
About one in five Australians experiences a mental health problem at least once in their lives. The defence and veteran communities are no different...
At Ease is a Department of Veterans' Affairs awareness program to maximise mental health and minimise mental illness in the veteran community. Through a series of brochures it provides guidance to veterans, the families, medical practitioners and mates on how to recognise mental health problems, how to cope with situations and how to maintain mental health and well being through lifestyle.
The program was developed by the Department of Veterans' Affairs in cooperation with the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health. It includes a book providing information and advice to practitioners in all health services in recognising, assessing and treating veterans' common mental health problems. It deals with the problem of stigma and encourages the prospect of positive outcomes through appropriate treatment.
At Ease was presented as an example of a successful approach to meeting the needs of a medical condition as it progressed through research, development of policy and literacy, initiatives and evaluation. The outcome has been a product which is assessed as being consistent with world best practice.
The website address for this program is www.at-ease.dva.gov.au.
Intergenerational Report Families and Veterans
In August 2007, the Australian government announced a $13.5 million research program into the impact of service on the health and welfare of families of veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) has established a dedicated Family Study Program (FSP) to cover and manage the various research studies that will target veterans and their families. The first family study to be progressed is the Vietnam Veterans Family Study (VVFS). Subsequent studies will look at more recent deployments.
The VVFS consists of a number of components (tiers) as detailed in the Research Protocol issued by the Centre for Military and Veterans Health (CVMH)(1). The VVFS will be managed by DVA and the research undertaken by external research organisations selected through competitive tender. (41kb doc)
Homelessness in the Veteran Community
by RODERICK BAIN
A roof over your head is something most of us take for granted and we worry only about paying the bills to keep it there. Everyone, however, is not so blessed and veterans are not immune to the problems of homelessness or the near threat of it, A recent series of events has caused many of us concern as they appear not to be isolated and steps are currently being taken to try to solve the problem of homelessness and create better households for those in difficulty.
The aetiology of this problem is multifactorial and often a combination of these factors. Broadly they can be placed in the following groupings: drug habituation of one variety or another, prolonged unemployment with the concurrent loss of skills and therefore earning power, and thirdly mental illness, mental arrested development in all its forms or cerebral disease/pathology. More than one of these problems per person makes life doubly difficult. So the origins of homelessness are not simple in diagnosis or easy to treat. Successive governments have not always helped the situation in the past. Specifically, the fashion to close so many psychiatric units through-out the Nation in the middle late eighties exacerbated the problem to a very large extent as one of the recognized causal factors was significantly increased when these former in-patients were forced to cope on their own.
So, apart from providing sufficient finance for public housing, there will need to be extra prongs to this attack to reduce the number of homeless on our streets. These additional approaches must include improved mental health facilities both at an in-patient and out-patient clinical level. Our country must be prepared to spend much more than it currently does on drug addiction rehabilitation and education. We have seen the marked reduction in nicotine use over the last ten years, through the prolonged educational efforts of State Departments of Health and there is no reason why the same cannot occur with other more rapidly lethal drug consumption. The widespread use of a variety of "recreational" drugs is relatively new in this country so the phenomenon is not traditional or ingrained in anyway, so the moment the young believe it to be unfashionable or un-cool the percentage of usage will drop significantly. The success of this approach lies with our health officials.
In the mean time, as ex-service organisations, we must come to grips with our own and provide what we can to help. The figures are sketchy at best but a rule of thumb approach will suggest the extent of the task. Depending on whom you approach or read as an authority it would be reasonable to guess that there are 12,000 people in this country without a roof of their own to sleep under tonight. Of this number we believe 8 to10% would be veterans, giving us a figure of 1000 to 1200 nation wide or several hundred per state if averaged out. Now as the eastern sea board has the lion's share of the population we can expect to have more than our share of this number. These figures do not mean that all these individuals are necessarily sleeping in the streets at any one time. The figures do mean that the accommodation is temporary and people must be moving on; be it from church, family, charity or unoccupied premises. Our best efforts must be focused on bringing this cycle of movement to and end, as quickly as we can, where possible.
A young Gulf War veteran in 2000 developed a significant brain lesion requiring surgery and long term care post operatively. Once discharged, he found himself unemployable because of his difficult to control epilepsy, despite medication and on a very limited pension income. His wife and one child were initially unsupportive and he was by definition, "on his own." Problem solved you might think. Visit your friendly neighbourhood RSL/Ex service organisation and all will be sorted.
Well he did and it wasn't !!
This late thirty year old man visited no less than six sub-branch offices in our state before moving to Victoria to gain the assistance he so desperately needed. I do not know the fine details of each visit to each organisation nor would that knowledge serve any purpose but to underscore the rigidity in some of our approaches to veteran community members. Common replies he received to requests for assistance were," You aren't a Vietnam Vet. Can't help" or " You're not old enough for that type of assistance" and " Your problem is not service related".
I feel the point is made that there are still people in our own organisations who are not offering resources advice in a manner designed to assist veterans. If you claim to be a pensions or welfare officer you are obliged to keep abreast of the veteran services available in your community on a day to day basis. Otherwise we are not maintaining the standard of help we loudly claim to provide.
As a result of this man's trials and tribulations he and I have put together an initial ex-service accommodation provider plan with the following outline.
A company called SCV GROUP LIMITED based in Maroochydore, Queensland is the manager of five thousand seniors independent living accommodation units throughout Australia.
I was invited to address the Managing Director and senior executives on their recent visit to Sydney and have subsequently retained contact with their National Business Manager Mr Ian Minett. While the units are principally designed for seniors there is the potential to integrate other age groups into the communities . There are no entry fees with the accommodation being offered inclusive of meals and a heavy laundry service in regional locations for less than $290 per week. The exact figure for this rental will vary a little depending on the site and the accommodation options offered at each community.
These rentals will be made available on a case by case interview basis and the ex-service person will require some income, plus or minus rental assistance if necessary. So it will on occasions prove a testing task for those assisting the veteran.
What is so very significant about what has been done here? The company is one with an Australia wide approach so we are not dealing with many groups with different policies in place. There is no particular age restrictions when people are more suited to a village atmosphere accommodation. Individuals are encouraged to belong to the groups they find themselves in and not retain their isolation. The tolerance of varying medical conditions is found to be acceptably high. Purposefully disruptive behaviour is obviously not tolerated. Tenants are able to move about the Groups holdings when accommodation becomes available.
Now this SCV facility has been made available to veterans throughout the whole country, it is timely that our community should commence using it. The need is there and part of the solution is now provided; it is up to us to match the veteran with the available accommodation site and allow these men and women to get on with the rest of their lives under their own roof.
PLEASE RING THE SCV GROUP ON 1800 356 544 FOR THE ASSISTANCE YOU WILL REQUIRE.
Want Paid Employment?
The Veterans' Vocational Rehabilitation Scheme (VVRS) helps eligible veterans, with or without a disability, who need special assistance to obtain or hold suitable paid employment. The scheme is free to eligible veterans. The scheme can also assist those veterans who currently receive a T&PI pension, an Intermediate Rate of pension (able to work part time or half time), or an Invalidity Service Pension, and want to return to paid work or increase their hours of paid employment, without losing their pension entitlements.
Military Compensation & Rehabilitation Service (MCRS) can help rehabilitate you to find suitable work if you are injured or develop an illness that can be linked to your service in the Australian Defence Force.
Conservation Volunteers Australia operate the Green Reserve program. If you are between 35 and 65 and receive the Newstart Allowance you can work for two-days-a-week for 26 weeks on conservation projects in rural and urban areas throughout Australia. A fortnightly supplement is paid.
COTA offers free one-day workshops to help mature age workers look for work.
jobWise is a federal government website for mature age people looking for work. There are links to information about jobs all over Australia, plus information about training and career choices.
workingconnections is an employment 'matchmaker' connecting experienced workseekers with employers offering work on a permanent, casual, or contract basis. workingconnections is operated by the ARPA Over 50s Association Ltd, an Australian not-for-profit benefits and services member association.
Our trip to Namibia to celebrate 20 years since our deployment (1989/90) is definitely happening not only for those who were part of it, but their family and friends as well. Briefly, we leave Tullamarine Saturday 3rd Oct 2009 and return Sunday 18th Oct 2009 (other options available, see itinerary attached). The dates coincide with our changeover of rotations and the NSW school holidays. The cost from Oz is approx $8K per person (the price should decrease depending how many are coming) which includes air fares, 3-4 star accommodation, travel around Namibia, some entrance fees, etc. When comparing prices to do the same thing around Australia, it is very good value for money. Paul Copeland. (700kb doc)
Entitlement on new, used cars whether purchased from a dealer or private;
-eligible veterans who are classified 70% or more on the General Rate are entitled to;
This also attracts cheaper registration & insurance (not comprehensive insurance)
HOW TO GO ABOUT IT
While the position of the Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council was to seek a Ministerial Council on ex-Service matters it welcomes the concept of a Prime Ministerial Council and a framework for consultation with the ex-Service and Defence communities, carrying as it does the Prime Minister's national leadership role in such strategic perspectives as: (42kb doc)
This letter is in response to the Treasurer's request for public submissions regarding priorities for the 2008-2009 budget. The administrative arrangements following the allocation of ministerial responsibilities in your government mean that the handling of many matters that are of concern to the membership of the Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council are now shared by the Treasury, Defence and Veterans' Affairs portfolios. This is highlighted by the fact that matters that were covered in your excellent Election 2007 Policy Document, Labor's Plan for Veterans' Affairs are the responsibility of more than one portfolio. (70kb doc)
While generally agreeing with the recommendations as they apply to the development of a new superannuation scheme there are some concerns, which are addressed in these comments. The weaknesses in what is proposed for a new scheme could lead to a judgment that a better solution would be to make adjustments for these shortcomings in the current schemes. The main concerns are with what remain as causes of dissatisfaction with the provision by government for retired members of current schemes, particularly the DFRDB. (97kb doc)
The Australian Government is committed to providing increased and more regular financial support for members of the veteran community, as well as making it more affordable for you to access information and stay in touch with friends, family, and the ex-service community around the country and the world, via the Internet. Certain changes demonstrating that commitment will be made from 20 March 2008, subject to Parliament passing the necessary legislation. (322kb tif)
You will recall I wrote to you in July of this year amid concerns that veterans were being asked to pay for “top up” hearing aids to meet their clinical needs. In my letter I advised that we were working very closely with the Office of Hearing Services (OHS) in order to resolve many issues veterans’ were experiencing, and to further enhance the services veterans receive, in relation to their hearing needs. I also advised that DVA was in the process of engaging an audiologist to handle the more complex concerns that veterans may have. (159kb tif)
Response to questions posed 18 October 2007. (214kb tif)
Tribute08 A Vietnam Veterans' Reunion & Commemoration
Greetings from the office of Tribute08. We are the organizers of a major reunion of Vietnam Veterans taking place in Wellington, New Zealand on Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June 2008.
On behalf of the major veterans’ organisations in New Zealand, we are inviting Vietnam Veterans and their families from around the world to attend.
We seek your assistance in helping us to promote Tribute08 to Vietnam Veterans, resident in your country.
Could you please advise us of the best way to do this through your website, networks or publications? If necessary, we may be prepared to run some paid advertising through websites and publications, but budgets will be limited and we will need to see rate-cards for this. Another option is if you have a publication that might be interested in receiving an article on this major event in New Zealand.
In addition, we have a good list of veteran organsations in the United States and Australia but if you have any useful additional contacts I’d be pleased to receive them.
Please view further information on Tribute08 on the website at www.tribute08.com
Thank you for your consideration and if you can help, please respond as soon as you are able, with the best way forward.
Kind regards,
Fraser Carson – Communications Director,
Phone +64 4 499 4928, Fax +64 4 499 4604
Research into the health of veterans families, provides a very significant opportunity to understand and improve people's lives. Most people are aware that over past generations Australian armed forces service personnel have undertaken a committed role on behalf of their country. What has not been understood is that in many cases there has been a very significant impact on their family’s physical & mental health, and the quality of their lives. (doc 32kb)
One of the matters of concern to the member associations of the Australian Veterans and Defence Services Council has been the exposure of the members of the Defence Force to hazardous materials. It is generally accepted that members of the Defence Force work in a dangerous environment and for reasons of operational effectiveness will frequently be required to undertake dangerous operations or be exposed to hazardous materials and radiations. This is a factor of Defence Force service that sets it apart from the civilian workforce, where Occupational Health and Safety criteria impose greater restrictions on the working environment than could be accepted in a Defence Force, which accepts the hazards of and training for armed conflict as a part of its general commitment to military service. While conditions of service and provisions for entitlements, compensation and rehabilitation recognize and respond to the outcomes of exposure to the hazards of military service there is an ongoing need to ensure that members of the Defence Force work within an envelope of safety appropriate to operations and training. (26kb doc)
The VITA AGM was held on Friday 28 September. The chairman opened the meeting shortly after 1000. `Thirteen members were represented at the meeting.(doc 31kb)
In 2006, the Centre for Military and Veteran's Health (CMVH) was contracted to produce a sound and workable protocol for the study of the sons and daughters of Vietnam veterans. The Minister released the Research protocol report on 16 August 2007.(doc 26kb)
The study will examine the physical, mental and social health of the families of Vietnam veterans. It will involve both quantitative and qualitative research techniques to identify protective as well as risk factors. It will provide a comprehensive picture of the health status of this group. The study will also examine suicide rates amongst children of Vietnam veterans.(doc 42kb)
From 20 September 2007 the assets test is changing. More veterans, war widows and war widowers and their partners will become eligible for service pension and income support supplement, and many current pensioners who receive a reduced rate of pension because of the assets test will have their payments increased.(doc 29kb)
Department of Veterans Affairs Corporate Report Card 2006-2007
Ex-Service organisations should have received the first annual Corporate Report Card for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which outlines some of the key achievements for 2006-2007 against the priorities identified in the 2006-2009 Corporate Plan. To veiw the report click on the heading.
As we approach the 2007 Federal Election it can be expected that matters relevant to the welfare of veterans, war widows and the general ex-Service community will become election issues, on which we could expect those standing for election to have a position. It is important that members of the veteran community should be adequately informed on issues and be in a position to convey to the parliamentary candidates of their electorate the line we should wish their political party to take in meeting the interests of the ex-Service community.
As part of its practice of keeping its membership informed AVADSC will place on its website from time to time coverage of specific issues, which have often been represented to AVADSC by member associations and developed by AVADSC office bearers in consultation with members of other associations. (77kb doc)
Letter explaining the extension of exemption of asset testing for people who are experiencing delays in aquiring a home following the sale, loss or damage of their former home.
Australian Veterans' and Defence Services' Council Talking Points For Appearance Before Superannuation Review. The key points of the line that I shall be taking to expand on our submission will be:
· Expansion on uniqueness of military service drawing on Kerr Review that led to military salary
I remind you that the key points made in the AVADSC submission were... (43kb doc)
Assist Progam Update - Australia wide list of courses for Program ASIST, the suicide prevention courses for the whole network for the next few months.
Included as well are the contact persons, phone numbers and E-mails for anyone interested. (42kb pdf)
Assesment of Compensation Claims Relating to Service Aboard Oberon Class Submarines. (2.7mb pdf)
Response from Minister for Veterans Affairs, Bruce Billson, regarding the Access Card. (2.8mb pdf)
Correspondence to and from the Minister for Veterans Affairs regarding the PBS/RPBS. (36kb doc)
Correspondence to the Minister for Veterans Affairs regarding the 07/08 budget and outcomes affecting veterans and defence members. (27kb doc)
Response from Tony Smith MP, Parliament Secretary to the Prime Minister regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests letter to the PM. (73kb doc)
Response from Bruce Billson regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests service being rejected as hazardous service. (1.5mb pdf)
Letter to the PM regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests service being designated as hazardous service. Also pointing out the Clarke Reveiw recommendations. (69kb doc)
Whats new in veterans health? Update by Dr Rod Bain as of the 28 May 07 presented to the NSW RSL. (35kb doc)
Veterans' Car Purchase
-pay no State Stamp Duty on new or used motor vehicles (not m/cycles)? Change every 2 years (you can get around this period, discuss later) The vehicle has to be registered in the veterans name, & the benefit is only payable on 1 vehicle at a time (you can have several vehicles, but only 1 is stamp duty exempt).
You also qualify for reduced D/L costs.
In the event a veteran has purchased a vehicle in the past & was on 70% or greater at the date of purchase, and did not claim, a retrospective claim can be made, although some states may impose a limitation on time.
-Request DVA to provide a letter stating veteran is on 70% or greater pension rate.
-Date this became eligible.
-Provide a copy of this to the dealer, or if purchasing privately, produce it to the local Motor Registration dept.
-Provide copy to Motor Registration re claiming pensioner rate for D/L & or reduced registration.
Tribute08
Level 12,
15 Willeston Street,
PO Box 11034,
Wellington, New Zealand
AVADSC Appearance Before Superannuation Review
· Commutation as an extension of principle established in DFRB Act 1948
· The Impact of the Simplified Superannuation Legislation
Program ASIST March 2007 Update
Assesment of Compensation Claims
Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme
Letter regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests
Letter regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests
Letter to PM regarding Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests