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.
Information on Issues Relevant to Military Superannuation Review
As a start and because it is one of the hot issues we are starting with Military Superannuation concerns because this is a current and hot topic.
Drafted by Rodney Nott of the Vietnam Logistical Support Veterans' Association
Readers should also consult the reporting of the AVADSC submission to the Military Superannuation Review and the AVADSC report of the appearance before the Military Superannuation Review. (77kb doc)
The Problem of the Drift to Civil Norms
The present day Defence Force and the veteran community are inadequately recognised by government and its agencies, the media and the general community for what the Defence Force has represented and will continue to represent as a national institution distinct from the public and private sector work forces. At the macro level the weaknesses of this recognition amount to weaknesses in strategic structures and should cause concern to thinking Australians. For those committed to military service this inadequate recognition continues to lead to flawed perceptions about entitlements appropriate to this service and fails to provide for appropriate recognition of the needs of defence force men and women when they leave the Defence Force. In Australia this development has been called the Drift to Civil Norms. (38kb doc)