I only want the same consideration as our elected leaders legislate for parliamentary members - after all we all serve the public, but some of us serve better than others!!!
Whats the reason for this petition and the answer is simple......
All ex-service personnel really want is "a fair go with equality".
It amazed me to be told that we retirees were classed as "pensioners" whilst receiving a superannuation payment. I got my first letter from the old ComSuper Board when I was 39.5 years old saying "Dear Pensioner" that was only because they were too lazy to do a mail merge. I retired in 1985, WO2 Level 4 and todays fortnightly Super payment is about $750 nett $573 with no other entitlements in sight for the future retirement. Looks like I will be working well past 65.
Its extremely disappointing to be treated differently to other australian citizens. You dont realise the financial sacrifice you and your family make by being a member of the defence forces. Please support us now.
I served 35yrs in RAAF and strongly believe I have been disadvantaged by not only the Super ruling on DFRDB but by not having access to benefits provided by old age pension scheme - no free entitlements owing to my pension (bought over 35yrs from pre-taxed income)
From a livelihood and standard of living perspective, it disturbs me that the politicians and mandarins have no compunction about sticking their collective 'boots' into returned service personnel when it suits them. Yet, when they (the federal sector) has a grand opportunity to redress such blatant unfairness, the application of procedural fairness is not worthy of their consideration. Indeed, it would not dawn on them to lead by example by applying similar monetary rules across the board, including themselves. It is patently evident that there is a stark and widening comparison between the way the returned services community and other governmental sectors, are treated.
Why is it that we can ask our military personnel to GIVE their lives yet we cannot open the beaurocratic purses to dispense money that they have so justly earned?
This is yet another example of how the govt is failing the service personnel who worked to suuport the Govt themselves. It is time they were held accountable for their unexcusable errors in judgement.
Member of DFRDB 1960-1987, so the benefits to me of having the DFRDB pension treated as partly funded would be substantial. The arguments in the Graham paper are well structure, sound and deserve further governement consideration.
The fact that Military Superannuation both DFRDB and MSBS exist only in consolidated revenue is a disgrace. All members should have access to their superannuation to move it wherever they choose, like the rest of the population. The fact that their contributions only grow at CPI is an even further disgrace and now you want to financially punish ex-service personnel even more by unfairly taxing their superannuation. Shame Mr Howard, Shame!
Unfunded! Ha! A percentage of my military salary was deducted during my time in the RAAF, how much of a politicians salary is deducted from their salary to fund their superannuation I wonder?
Vets need a minister who understands our unique situation and who will give us the support that we have earned. After two bimbos and the current ineffective incumbent a minister of the calibre of Con Sciacca, who was outstanding in his portfolio, is just who we need.
