Senator Steve Fielding was the only MP fighting the good fight for fair indexation of service pensions, however he has less than a
snowball's chance in hell of being re-elected.
But the Coalition Promise to do something (if elected) is below.
############################################################ #####
From: Hardie, Robert (L. Markus, MP)
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 8:16 AM
Subject: Coalition Joint Release - Military Superannuation-
Please find attached a Joint Media Release from the Coalition outlining our plan to introduce new indexation arrangements for DFRDB superannuants.
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
THE HON. TONY ABBOTT MHR, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION,
SENATOR THE HON. DAVID JOHNSTON, SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE,
THE HON. BOB BALDWIN MHR, SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, SCIENCE AND PERSONNEL AND ASSISTING SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE,
LOUISE MARKUS MHR, SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS? AFFAIRS AND
STUART ROBERT MHR, SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR DEFENCE
INCREASED SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIA?S VETERANS AND EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL
A Coalition Government will introduce new indexation arrangements for Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (DFRDB) members as part of its commitment to supporting Australia?s veterans and ex-service personnel.
Under a Coalition government, from 1 July 2011 those DFRDB members aged 55 years or older will have their military superannuation
pensions indexed to the greater of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI).
These changes are being made as part of the Coalition?s recognition of the unique nature of military service and our commitment to introducing a fair, equitable and fiscally responsible military superannuation system.
Widows of DFRDB superannuants will also benefit from the announced changes.
Labor broke its election promise to "fix" the issue of military superannuation indexation and this has yet another example that the Labor Government is all talk and no action.
This is a fully costed and fully funded policy. Savings already identified by the Coalition will be used to offset the $98 million cost over the forward estimates. A further $100 million will be invested into the Future Fund as a first step towards funding the new arrangements beyond the forward estimates.
This change brings into line the indexation of DFRDB superannuation with the aged pension. Currently DFRDB superannuation is indexed according to the CPI.
If the indexation rate had increased in line with the aged pension, military superannuants would have received an extra $28.40 per fortnight to their pension (if they received the full pension rate) in March this year.
Unlike Labor, the Coalition has consulted widely and listened carefully to the views put forward by veterans, ex-service people, ex-service organisations and current ADF personnel.
The Coalition acknowledges the February 2010 submission from Returned Services League (RSL) National President, Rear Admiral Ken Doolan
AO RAN (Rtd) on military superannuation together with the long-standing efforts of the Defence Force Welfare Association (DFWA) and in particular, of Colonel David Jamison (Rtd), National President of the DFWA.
We are committed to real action to support our veterans, and will ensure that those who have served their nation are properly looked after in their retirement. After all, military service is unique and unique solutions are required to recognise that service.
Above all else, Australia?s service personnel, past and present, after giving so much to their nation, deserve to live out their lives in the knowledge that they have financial security.
27 JUNE 2010
<<10-06-27 Joint Press Release with Johnston, Markus, Baldwin, Robert.pdf>>
____________________________________________________________ __________________________________________
deleted article from "Adelaide Now":
#
Veterans on attack over pension dud
Even Labor MPs, including two frontbenchers, have attacked the Government decision to breach…
an election commitment. But the Government is resisting calls to increase the pension for more than 300…
28 Sep 2009 | Adelaide Now > Adelaide Now | article | Find related
____________________________________________________________ ______________________________
Re: ADF News.......Part Two
« Reply #35 on: Sunday,May 17, 2009 »
In reply to the report by Air Chief Marshal Huston .
I disagree with what he had to say with the exception of the change of benefits over the last four years, which I am not familiar with.
It can not be disputed that since the early 1960's the compensation & benefits available to defence force personnel is to put it mildly
far from satisfactory, & benefits to ex service personnel is even worse & at this time there is nothing on the horizon to prove that this
is going to improve any time in the future. At this stage I would say that there are enquiries into benefits by various authorities
but that in no way confirms that service & ex service compensation or superannuation benefits are going to finally be brought in to line
with adequate renumeration benefits for military personnel, Plenty of promises but realistically speaking, no real benefits.
My suggestion to Service Personnel going in to active areas is to double load with insurance at the very least . Neil Macdonald
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________
other relevant articles:
DFRDB and MSBS Information
Veterans' pensions under fire | The Australian
Rann pleads for military pensions to be CPI-linked | The Australian