I wonder how much of this "lack of truthfulness" is to keep the wider community blissfully unaware of whatever it is they don't want us to know.
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They hide shit from us all the time. It takes 30 years to learn the truth...........
M e d i a r e l e a s e
G,day folks,
This is the latest opposition media-release regarding DVA claim times!
Regards,
RLI
Tuesday, 4 June 2013
MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Hardie 0418 432 909
Honesty needed on veterans’ claim processing times
The Gillard Labor Government is regularly misreporting average claim processing times for veterans returning from recent conflicts making claims for compensation for their service-related conditions.
Evidence given in Senate Estimates by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs confirmed that the average claim processing time of 120 days was not being met. In fact, the working average is actually 155 days.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said Labor was fudging figures in the Budget to the detriment of veterans.
“Two years ago, Veterans’ Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon said the claims process was ‘complex, unwieldy and slow’, but it appears Labor has actually done nothing tangible since then to meaningfully reduce claims processing times”, Senator Ronaldson said.
“Labor knew in March this year that average processing times for compensation claims was 155 days, but decided that the Budget papers released just three weeks ago would misreport that number. Labor’s Budget papers say the actual ‘mean’ processing time for 2012-13 was 120 days. Departmental officials confirmed this was incorrect.”
“Veterans and their families will take cold comfort from the Gillard Labor Government knowingly misreporting important statistics, such as average claims processing times, as they deal with the anxiety of the compensation claims process.”
“Warren Snowdon needs to explain why he allows such manipulation of Departmental figures and statistics to hide a problem – a very serious problem confronting the community.”
Senator Ronaldson said the expected growth in new claims – confirmed at 8 per cent per annum – required leadership from the Minister to end the dodgy reporting.
“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs acknowledged in Senate Estimates that there is an issue and that processing times are well behind where they want them to be. Minister Snowdon should also acknowledge that there is an issue rather than trying to manipulate figures to present a different reality.”
M e d i a r e l e a s e
Friday, 7 June 2013
Veterans’ mental health a challenge for all
The challenges facing the nation from veterans’ battling mental illness are real and our nation must prepare for those challenges.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said the Coalition was fully committed to working with the veteran and wider community to ensure veterans needing treatment for mental health conditions could access that treatment.
“While the Coalition is unaware of the individual circumstances raised on 7:30 last night the story does highlight issues that the Minister needs to acknowledge and deal with”, Senator Ronaldson said. “The Coalition has given its support to the Government’s recent veterans’ mental health announcements as we believe they represent a step in the right direction.”
“However, at Senate Estimates earlier this week the Department of Veterans’ Affairs admitted that actual processing times for veterans’ compensation claims were 30 per cent higher than the ‘mean’ figure reported in the Budget papers.“
“The Government will therefore spend $1.7 million to ‘improve‘ claim processing times. However, this will not be spent to reduce the reported 120 day ‘mean’ processing time, but to bring claims processing back from the unreported average 155 days to the reported 120-day ‘mean’ average.”
“Veterans’ Affairs Minister Warren Snowdon is trying to use weasel-words in an attempt to escape the fact that the average claims processing time is longer than is being reported in the Budget papers. Honesty is required.“
“Given the statistics in the Budget papers bear little or no resemblance to the actual situation, it does beg the question as to why the Government has been less than frank about the situation. There is no benefit to anyone in the misreporting or fudging of these figures.”
Senator Ronaldson said everything must be done to remove barriers to veterans, and their families, seeking help when they need it. “The Coalition supports the announced extension of non-liability treatment for mental health conditions for veterans, as well as the expansion of service available to veterans and their families through the Veterans’ and Veterans’ Families Counselling Service (VVCS).”
Speed up processing of claims by replacing the pot plants that work at DVA.
watch this before it's pulled off the net
G'day folks,
Fort Hood video, watch this before it's pulled off the net. I agree 100% with the generals comments!
http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplay....swf?aid=11991
Regards,
RLI
Been pulled already champ damn missed it by 5 hours
Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app
Can't view it! What's the general thrust?
G'day NP99
Mate, trying double clicking on this one!
http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnnewsplay....swf?aid=11991
Regards,
Paul
I see one of the fakers got only a $2500 fine. What joke should have gone to jail for forgery
At least it's something though. It was on 7 news Perth
Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app
He was one of the Melbourne rsl presidents apparently I ll do a quick search hang on
Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...-1226665922353
this one his name is Lance Smith
even though I was never in any of the services I have great respect for anyone who is or has served and this is just upsetting that this stuff happens and its not only a couple of people its a fair few which is B.S.
hope they charge more of these scum and they get a bigger sentence
all he got was a fine and a 6 month suspended sentence
If the judge had service he might use more of his powers of punishment!
He should have been locked up. Suspended sentence is BS.
G'day folks,
I walked into to work today at my local RSL Sub-Branch, like i usually do every Wednesday and Thursdays that's when i am fit for duty. lol Today i was in total shock , when i was ambushed by some of my local members.
Two members presented me with two bottles of scotch (18 year old Glenfiddich single malt and a Jameson 18 Year Old Limited Reserve) I was extremely red faced and embarrassed by the whole experience. Two of my clients bought me the presents for successfully representing their claims at a recent VRB (Veterans' Revive Board) hearing. Both men had served over 20 years service and had suffered multiple injuries over the course of their respected careers.
I love my work as an RSL pensions officer and i have a passion to help those current and ex-service men and women whom have been injured by their service.
PS, thanks both Grahame and Ray for the scotch, as previously advised today, you did not have to do this, i was just glad to be able to help you both!
Regards,
Paul
:smiley_thumbs_up:
G'day folks,
I turned up to our regular monthly RSL meeting to be confronted with the sad news that one of our young Afghanistan war veterans took his life last Tuesday evening.
The young soldier was only 24. He had so much life a head of him, i feel so angry and saddened that i did not see any tell-tale signs over the last 3 months.
The soldier lad only left the army 6 months ago after six years service. Two trips to Afghanistan, one trip to Iraq and two trips to East-Timor. He was a decorated young soldier and it was a privilege to have known the young man in the last 3 months.
I can only imagine how deep the darkness that was terrorising him inside to take his own life. Such a sad waste of a young man. I really feel for his family, friends and his fellow mates in the army.
PS LEST WE FORGET!
Regards,
RLI
Rest in peace digger hope the demons don't chase you there
Guns don't kill people, people with mustachios kill people
That's so sad that in this day and age people still feel so bad they feel the need to end their lives, such a tragedy for everyone. RIP young soldier!
Very sad mate and such a terrible shame.
Saw a quick bit on the news this morning saying that more soldiers in the UK commit suicide than are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There obviously needs to be a lot more done for the guys serving than is being done at the moment.
J O I N T M E D I A R E L E A S E
Coalition response to report on wounded and injured personnel
If elected, the Coalition will work with the Department of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs to provide a formal Government response following the release this week of the report into Care of ADF Personnel Wounded and Injured on Operations.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, and Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Technology and Personnel, Mr Stuart Robert MP, said the Coalition was committed to working through the issues identified and recommendations made in the Parliament’s report.
“The Report of the Defence sub-committee provides the Australian Defence Force and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs with a suite of evidence and recommendations all aimed at improving services for current serving personnel, veterans and their families”, Senator Ronaldson said.
“The Coalition, if elected later this year, will prioritise a formal government response to the recommendations of the report and will work with the serving and ex-serving community to continue to improve services.”
“The Coalition particularly notes observations in the report that a joint Defence-DVA health care network could assist veterans seeking treatment for conditions post-service. That Labor failed to properly investigate this option before letting the Defence Health Contract last year is an opportunity missed, a missed opportunity to provide better care for veterans.”
Mr Robert said the Coalition would work with the Chief of the Defence Force and Service Chiefs to ensure Defence responded quickly to requests for information from DVA to expedite claims processing.
“It is vital that an effective, and efficient, relationship exists between Defence and DVA to prevent unnecessary bureaucratic delay in responding to requests for information needed in compensation claims”, Mr Robert said.
“The Coalition has a proud track record of supporting the ADF, our service men and women and our ex-service men and women. In Government we will continue that tradition and continue to build on existing services for the benefit of serving and ex-serving men and women, and their families.”
_____________________________
Robert Hardie
Adviser
Office of Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs | Liberal Senator for Victoria
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
0418 432 909 | robert.hardie@aph.gov.au
M E D I A R E L E A S E
Saturday, 27 July 2013
Forgotten no more – 60 years on for Korean veterans
The 60th anniversary of the armistice concluding hostilities in the Korean War is an opportunity to reflect on the service and sacrifice of Australians who served in Korea between 1950 and 1953.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said Korean veterans across Australia would gather to reflect on their service and to remember fallen mates who did not return home.
“Today marks 60 years since the cessation of hostilities on the Korean peninsula between North and South Korea”, Senator Ronaldson said.
“The Korean War raged between 1950 and 1953. Over that three year period, more than 17,000 Australians served in Korea; 340 were killed in action and a further 1,216 wounded.”
“Sixty years on from the conflict, Australian personnel remain missing in action on the Korean peninsula, their precise location known unto God. Research continues in Australia and across the globe to identify and, where possible, repatriate missing service personnel.”
“The Korean War, the first major global conflict after the catastrophe of World War Two, has all too often been overlooked for its significance, not just for Australia, but for the world more generally. It was a fight between totalitarianism and freedom, a fight which remains unresolved to this day.”
Senator Ronaldson said he would join with Korean veterans in Canberra today at the National Korean War Memorial where he would pay his respects to the memory of the fallen and those who returned home.
“Later this morning I will lay a wreath on behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MHR, and my parliamentary colleagues to commemorate and acknowledge this important anniversary.”
“This is a time for solemn contemplation of the sacrifice of war and to remember the service of thousands of Australians who served their nation with pride during the Korean War.”
_____________________________
Robert Hardie
Adviser
Office of Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs | Liberal Senator for Victoria
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
0418 432 909 | robert.hardie@aph.gov.au
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
THE HON. TONY ABBOTT MHR, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION SENATOR THE HON. MICHAEL RONALDSON, SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS AND MR. STUART ROBERT MHR,SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND PERSONNEL
30 July 2013
FAIR INDEXATION OF MILITARY SERVICE PENSIONS
The Coalition will keep faith with Australia’s veterans by providing for the fair indexation of Defence Forces Retirement Benefits (DFRB) and the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits (DFRDB)
military superannuation pensions.
If elected, a Coalition government will ensure that DFRB and DFRDB military superannuation pensions are indexed in the same way as the age pension. Our commitment will apply to DFRB and DFRDB
superannuants aged 55 and over. Under current legislation, the government increases military superannuation pensions by the consumer price index. By contrast, the age pension is indexed according to a formula based around growth in the consumer price index, male total average weekly earnings and the pensioner and beneficiary living cost index.
If it’s inadequate to lift Centrelink pensions just by the consumer price index, it’s even less fair to apply only that index to those who have risked their lives for our country. Our promise will keep faith with the 57,000 recipients of military superannuation pensions by providing the fair indexation that Labor has not delivered.
In 2007 Mr Rudd promised fairness to the recipients of DFRB and DFRDB pensions and instead, they got nothing. The Minister for Defence Materiel, Mike Kelly, euphemistically described Mr Rudd’s broken
promise as “a reversal of the pre-election position”. Given the breach of trust by Mr Rudd, Coalition members and candidates have signed a written pledge to provide fair indexation in the next Parliament.
We will honour our pledge. We will keep our word. Australia’s veterans who have risked life and limb deserve better than a government that says one thing before an election and another thing after.
Our commitment today re-affirms our 2010 promise as well as our actions over the past three years. During the current parliament, we introduced legislation to provide fair indexation for veterans and their families.
The legislation was defeated by Labor and the Greens. We believe that Australia should protect and watch over its veterans and their future, in the same way our veterans protected and watched over our county. The Coalition’s commitment to providing fair indexation of military superannuation pensions is part of our Real Solutions Plan to build a stronger Australia and a better future for all Australians.
Mike Kelly will be the next Defence Minister if the circus is re-elected :(
G'day folks,
To all those of you with a current DVA pension, make sure that if your health is deterioration due to your excepted disabilities, that your are regularly submitting an AFI (Application for Increase in pension form) EVERY 12 months by your local RSL Pensions officer. Your aim if you are working full-time is to achieve the 100% mark before age 65.
If your DVA accepted disabilities result in you having to give up work and you are suffering financially due to you having to give up your employment, you should then seek advice from your RSL pensions officer or Advocate to apply for a Special Rate Pension (TPI) if you are under 65 and Extreme Disability Pension (EDA) if you are over 65!
Regards,
RLI
G'day RLI, I'm Air Force mate but grew up in Rhodesia. My old man is one of the founding members of the RLI. We need to catch up for a beer some time.
Agget.
6BDE NORFORCE 4 yrs LOE
Gay Mardi Gra float for Defence members.......you'll keep :-)
Inside joke folks.......