The Electronic Blue Beret ......Week 8 of 2004

(2)In reference to question on notice 743 part (6) and question on notice 744 part (2), an update of the tables showing compensation claims for accepted service in Timor and the Gulf is as follows:
Gulf War Veterans

As at 22 November 2003, 204 veterans are in payment of a disability pension for disabilities which are causally related to the Gulf War. Pension rates are shown below: Disability pension Number
10% 31
20% 12
30% 27
40% 23
50% 15
60% 16
70% 5
80% 12
90% 8
100% 24
Intermediate rate 1
Temporary special rate 1
Special rate (TPI) 29
Total 204

Each of the 204 veterans is in receipt of a pension for at least one condition which has been accepted as being due to Gulf War service. The Minister has advised that the total rate of pension paid in most cases does not relate to Gulf War service only.

There are 415 accepted conditions arising out of Gulf War service and for which a disability pension is being paid. The breakdown of accepted conditions is shown below: Body system Percentage
Spine and limbs 27%
Ear, nose and throat (incl hearing loss) 25.5%
Psychiatric 18%
Skin 12%
Gastro-intestinal 7%
Eyes and vision 2.5%
Miscellaneous 8%

East Timor Veterans

As at 22 November 2003, a total of 772 Australian Defence Force personnel and 14 eligible civilians who have had disabilities accepted as being caused by the East Timor service are in receipt of a disability pension from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The breakdown according to the degree of incapacity is shown in the table below: Disability pension Number
10% 108
20% 66
30% 110
40% 89
50% 89
60% 66
70% 28
80% 58
90% 34
100% 56
Intermediate Rate 2
Temporary Special Rate (TTI) 25
Special rate (TPI) 55
Total 786

Each of the 786 veterans and eligible civilians is in receipt of a pension for at least one condition which has been accepted as being due to East Timor service. The Minister has advised that in most cases the total rate of pension paid does not relate to East Timor service only.

These 786 veterans and eligible civilians have a total of 1505 disabilities accepted as resulting from East Timor service. The most commonly accepted conditions are shown in the table below: Disability Type Acceptances
Musculo-skeletal 596
Psychiatric 328
Ear, Nose and Throat (incl hearing loss) 234
Skin 119
Fevers and viruses 77
Gastro-intestinal 55
Other 96
Submitted by Daniel Sloan

In a holding pattern

Corporal Sean Seery, a member of the Air Traffic Control Detachment in Baghdad, conducts security tasks. Photo by CAPT Kate Noble
By Andrew Stackpool and CAPT Kate Noble

THE Air Traffic Control Detachment at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) will remain deployed until at least May.

The Government announcement follows a turnover of personnel in January. The majority were support services personnel but a small number of ATC personnel were also rotated.

The extension of service follows delays in the completion of training of Iraqi civilian air traffic controllers and to the refurbishment of electronic and communications equipment at BIAP�s control tower, according to Defence Minister Robert Hill.

The Coalition Provisional Authority is managing the transition of air traffic management from military authorities to trained Iraqi civilian controllers. After their training in Jordan they will receive on-site training in Baghdad and ADF personnel will be needed to ensure the transition to civilian airspace control is as smooth as possible.

Since deploying to Iraq in May last year the ATC Detachment has processed more than 100,000 military and civilian aircraft movements at BIAP; the equivalent of the third busiest airport in Australia.

While continuing to provide vital air traffic control services, the recently arrived RAAF personnel are coming to grips with conducting a high-profile job in a foreign environment.

Detachment OC Wing Commander Scott Winchester said that although incoming staff were initially awed by the size of the airport and number of units based there, the transition occurred smoothly.

�The detachments that preceded us have developed a great reputation among other coalition members operating in the area and we�re determined to maintain that reputation and the excellent working relationships they�ve established,� he said. �We�re also planning and looking forward to the transition of services from a military service to a civilian one, which will be a real milestone in terms of reconstruction here.�

VA012 Friday 13 February 2004
NO PLANS TO CHARGE ADMISSION FEE AT GALLIPOLI PEACE PARK

Press reports suggesting that Turkish authorities are planning to introduce
an admission fee to attend Gallipoli ceremonies are incorrect, Minister for
Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, said today.

Mrs Vale said Turkish authorities have assured the Australian Government
that they do not intend to introduce an entrance fee for the Gallipoli
ceremonies either this year or in the future.

"We are advised the Turkish authorities are keen to improve the level of
service and facilities within the Gallipoli Peace Park, and in that context
are considering the introduction of service fees for the use of some
facilities, such as a new reception centre," Mrs Vale said.

"The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the Turkish
Government about the maintenance of facilities, but would be concerned by
entrance charges for Australians to gain access to the Gallipoli War
Cemetery and ceremonies.

"I take the opportunity to remind Australians intending to travel to
Gallipoli this year to be alert to the travel advice provided on the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade web site.

"The Department is advising people to defer all non-essential travel.

"Australians travelling through Europe around Anzac Day are also encouraged
to visit other significant sites, such as the new Australian War Memorial in
Hyde Park London, the Western Front, and the Menin Gate at Ieper in
Belgium," Mrs Vale said.

Media Contact: Claire Bannon 0423 781 896

VA10 Saturday 14 February 2004

korean war veterans TO BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL FUNDING

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today announced the Korean
Veterans' Association of Australia would benefit from an Australian
Government Saluting Their Service grant of $7,000.

"This funding will go towards the cost of placing Korean War commemorative
plaques on a number of regional war memorials around Australia, and will
honour more than 17,000 Australians who served during the Korean War," Mrs
Vale said.

"During the Korean War, 339 Australians lost their lives, 1216 were wounded
and 29 were taken prisoner of war.

"It is through projects like these that we acknowledge those Australian's
who served in Korea, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."

During a ceremony in Swan Hill, Mrs Vale presented 15 of the commemorative
plaques to local communities.

Korean War plaques were presented to the Swan Hill community and
representatives of communities in the Buloke Shire, from Berriwillock,
Birchip, Charlton, Culgoa, Donald, Lake Boga, Manangatang, Nyah, Nullawil,
Piangil, Robinvale, Sea Lake, Ultima and Wycheproof.

"I would like to congratulate the 15 communities represented here today on
their participation in this wonderful project.

"I am pleased that the Korean Veterans Association of Australia will use
these funds to extend this initiative to other communities and other States
around Australia."

The Australian Government's Saluting Their Service commemorations program
aims to assist communities to have a war memorial that can serve as the
community focus during remembrance services.

Media Contact: Claire Bannon 0423 781 896

VA11 Saturday 14 February 2004

NATIONAL SERVICEMEN HONOURED IN MILDURA

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, today paid tribute to the
service of Australia's National Servicemen at the National Servicemen's Day
memorial service in Mildura.

The Minister was joined by Member for Mallee, Mr John Forrest, National
Servicemen and community leaders in memory of the 200 National Servicemen
who lost their lives while serving in the defence of Australia.

"About 300,000 National Servicemen were called up for military service
between 1951 and 1972," Mrs Vale said.

"As young men they accepted an obligation in the national interest - and
they undertook that obligation with honour.

"Today, our former National Servicemen are justifiably proud of their
service to the nation."

Almost 20,000 National Servicemen served in Vietnam, while National
Servicemen also served during the Malayan Emergency and the Confrontation
with Indonesia.

"National Servicemen have played an important role in the defence of
Australia and on behalf of the Government and people of Australia, I would
like to express the nation's gratitude for their service and sacrifice," Mrs
Vale said.

Media Contact: Claire Bannon 0423 781 896

G'Day everyone. I'm hoping to enlist in the RAAF this year and hopefully becoming an ADG.

I just have a few questions I was hoping some of you blokes could help me with. Things that get more into the nitty-gritty the the DefenceJobs website does.

1. Are the ADG's better equiped then the reguler infantry? I've heard that they are.

2. Roughly how many days a year would you spend out bush on exercise, not counting any operational deployments?

3. After a few years in the ADF I'd like to attempt selection for 4RAR Commando. Have many ADG's gotten into SF?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
Catch you later
Shane

Senator Mark Bishop
Shadow Minister for Veteran Affairs
Senator for West Australia

18 February 2004 ref:m&pr 03/04

Military Compensation Legislation - ALP Position

The Howard Government needs to focus more intently on the needs of modern serving military personnel and future veterans as the Parliament commences debate on a package of Bills affecting compensation and rehabilitation, Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Senator Mark Bishop said today.

While the two Bills before the Parliament go some way to removing some complexity and inconsistency from the detail of military compensation, they have been in gestation over 8 years, and yet there are still many problems. This is simply the result of Government and ministerial inattention.

While the Australian Labor Party will defer its final position until the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee reports in March, some serious reservations are held, namely:

�The proposed safety net for those unable to work due to their service disability, is inadequate in that it simply transposes the T&PI Special Rate from the current Act, which all veterans regard as flawed
�The process of administrative review discriminates against serving ADF personnel, by denying access to the Veterans Review Board
�The widows' lump sum death benefit is $60 000 less for those whose partner is killed on peacetime service, as opposed to service overseas, is also discriminatory
�Differential disability payments continue to discriminate between those with warlike and peacetime service, in an environment where all service has significant hazards
�Abdication of health and safety responsibility by the ADF to its own personnel.

The Labor Party also objects to the haste with which these Bills are being rushed through the House of Representatives - before the Senate Committee has even commenced its consideration. These Bills have been planned since 1994, they are very complex, and consultation with serving ADF personnel has been totally inadequate.

The Labor Party will ensure that during the Senate Committee's consideration of this very important legislation, these Bills will get the most thorough consideration, and that any amendments necessary will be made before they become law.

Contact: Mark Bishop 0419 959 892; Peter Reece 0414 677 441, 02 6277 3101
NB: Copy of second reading speech is available on request.