Is there a blurb on his page? I passed this on to our community guys......lots of anger!
1999 GU 4500 dual fuel
Il dado è tratto
The plot thickens
Another pic, story to follow
Sent while temporally motionless
Defence White Paper focuses on mental health
Simon Cullen reported this story on Saturday, May 4, 2013 08:20:00
ELIZABETH JACKSON: As Australian troops are gradually withdrawn from Afghanistan, there'll be more young veterans living in the community than at any other time since the Vietnam War.
Since then, there's been a greater understanding of the long-term mental health effects of war, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
The Government's new strategic vision for Australia's defence forces includes $25 million to help deal with the problem, but some are already questioning whether that will be enough.
From Canberra, Simon Cullen reports.
SIMON CULLEN: Throughout 2010, Major-General John Cantwell was the commander of Australia's forces in Afghanistan. He returned home with the mental scars of battle.
It's an issue that's been given extra prominence through yesterday's release of the 2013 Defence White Paper.
In unveiling the new strategic plan, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced there'd be $25 million set aside to boost mental health care for service personnel.
JULIA GILLARD: The critical importance of looking after the health and wellbeing of our serving and ex-service men and women, including in relation to mental health disorders.
SIMON CULLEN: The Veterans Counselling Service will be extended to border protection staff, those involved in dealing with disaster zones, and people hurt in training accidents as well as their families.
It'll also cover the families of veterans killed in operational service and include a new post-discharge screening assessment carried out by a GP.
Major-General John Cantwell:
JOHN CANTWELL: I think we've got the right level of prominence in a paper such as the Defence White Paper, which stands as the highest statement of government policy in regards to Defence.
SIMON CULLEN: By the end of this year, most Australian troops will have returned from Afghanistan.
There's growing recognition within the Defence Force that many will require mental health care and support in readjusting to life back in Australia.
Former Defence Force chief Admiral Chris Barrie isn't convinced the extra $25 million will be enough.
CHRIS BARRIE: I think it's a step in the right direction in the sense that we've allocated some serious money to dealing with the sorts of issues that are going to crop up. But I'll also say there's more than just throwing money at it to solve this problem.
I think that getting families really involved in this is important. They're the people that are going to recognise there's been a change, if there is a change. They'd be the first point of contact, I'd say, in recognising PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) in any way.
SIMON CULLEN: General John Cantwell says families often bear the brunt of the mental health challenges facing veterans and he's hopeful there'll be further changes to the way the Defence Force deals with the issue.
SIMON CANTWELL: I think there will still be quite a few difficulties for our veterans who are seeking the help that they deserve. And this is largely because they are dealing with a large bureaucracy and these are always difficult things to do, particularly if one is mentally unwell. It's the worst time to wrestle with some bureaucrat over form-filling.
ELIZABETH JACKSON: Retired Major-General John Cantwell ending that report from Simon Cullen in Canberra.
Regards,
RLI
The halls been rented the bands been paid, time to see you dance!
NP99 (5th May 2013)
$25 million, but a drop in the ocean! How much do we spend on boat people???
1999 GU 4500 dual fuel
Il dado è tratto
PMC (5th May 2013)
Is this dick-head for real!
DEFENCE Minister Stephen Smith reiterated the need for a regional pivot in the federal government's defence white paper despite an unclear means to pay for the ambition.
"It's not a budget document, it's a white paper. I've seen people say that since we didn't meet 2 per cent of GDP it's the worst day for defence since the fall of Saigon," Mr Smith told Sky News's Australian Agenda.
Speaking of power in his own backyard, Mr Smith said he believed Labor would at least hold the three federal seats it already holds in Western Australia - including his own - and that the election would "go down to the wire".
PS, Is this dick-head for real, that the election will go down to the wire!
Regards,
RLI
The halls been rented the bands been paid, time to see you dance!
NP99 (5th May 2013)
Posted on behalf of Paul.
Sent while temporally motionless
The halls been rented the bands been paid, time to see you dance!
NP99 (5th May 2013)
The name isn't familiar off the top of my head, do you know which company he was in
Sent while temporally motionless
PMC (6th May 2013)