Why is it so difficult to get 'a fair go'? Politicians have no problem in looking after themselves, how about the same consideration to the Defence community!
I agree with everything that John Graham says in his submission. It is wrong to consider our DFRDB scheme as 'unfunded'. We contributed when wages were relatively small. All we veterans seek is a fair deal.
Strange how we were heading towards 'self funding' in 1972 then Gough, bless his little cotton sox, took an interest free loan from the fund of around $9m....why did he need Khemlani to borrow money from???....please explain????
Whitlam raided our scheme and placed it into internal revenue after we were making a profit and I now feel it is an insult that we are excluded from the tax exemption.
Most of us on the DFRDB scheme will be dead in fifteen years so the pollies do not have to take us seriously. Veterans generally are a conservative mob who in this case are asking for nothing more than a fair go. How many politicians have had past military service, I would say practically zero and hence their lack of understanding when it comes to dealing with retired service men and women.
I strongly support this petition particularly the indexing where the annual rate of pension increase is continually falling behind the cost of living increases.
The continual erosion of service benefits is a disgrase. It would seem that the the old addage is coming home to roost. "In times of trouble we adore God and soldiers not before, when troubles gone and all things righted Gods forgotten and soldiers slighted" Maybe politicians should fight their own wars!
They want to get their photo taken with you when they are sending you and again on your return (depending where you go)but if anything is wrong with you from your service look out.
The 'soldier' has had a dirty deal from both sides of politics for many years. This becomes particularly apparent on one's retirement. They are forgotten by government.I am glad this petition also addresses the problem that the government's intention to exclude Defence widows from the Superannuation taxation benefits.
The 'soldier' has had a dirty deal from both sides of politics for many years. This becomes particularly apparent on one's retirement. They are forgotten by government.
I too have paid into this fund for over 20 years . These payments were after tax payments and unclaimable in the tax return. The Pollies have their increases tied to Male average earnings, ours is tied to he CPI, which we all know does not truely reflect inflation. Each year the value of our income falls further and further behind the general community. High time the pollies fixed it up and give us a fair go.
As an old pay rep I know that money was taken from my pay every fortnight for my contribution to the DFRDB scheme. If this fund was not self funded I would like to know where my money went. Oh!! that right into the Pollies pay rises and their pension fund. God Bless the Pollies while the Service Members who do the hard work get robbed again. No wonder the recruiting is down.
