The Queensland RAR Association and the Defence Force Welfare Association are conducting a campaign leading up to the Federal election with the aim of adjusting anomalies that exist within the military DFRB and DFRBF superannuation payment  They intend to approach the candidates in each marginal federal seat to point out these anomalies and to request they undertake to address them.

They have asked that we approach our members who may wish to volunteer their time to put up their hand.

The RAR Campaign Director,Ted Chitham has distributed the following as an explanation

In seeking their support (our members) I suggest you explain the importance of the matter to our military family, even though it may not have a direct impact on them personally (There are nationally 64,000 persons currently receiving military superannuation payments, and over 180,000 receiving a disability payment = 244.000 people) .

As George Mansford says "this is our mob and we care for each other". This is our chance to stand up and be counted on to assist not as rebel rousers but as outlined in the duties document.

To those who do not want to be involved because they believe we are conducting a political campaign I say:

• The ESOs are not political parties.

 

• They are issues based organisations that ADVOCATE (definition: to support or speak in favour of something ) matters on behalf of "their family" where they will speak out on those that are unfair and unjust. Each person can determine their own circumstance and what the alleged unfairness means to them and their widow and/or dependents. In this campaign there are four issues:

• Military Superannuation

   

  • Indexation formula CPI that is unfair and is denying all superannuates at least $30/fn

   

  • Tax on our superannuation payments (a rebate of 10% is allowed) when no tax is applied to civilian superannuation payments over aged 60

   

  • Unfair MSBS maximum benefits limits (MBLs) which means less superannuation payments

   

  • Out of date life tables in calculating commutation and fortnightly payments which means less payments

   

  • Inequitable reversionary rate of 63% of our superannuation payments paid on our death to our spouse compared to Federal politicians (pre 2004 Scheme) whose spouses receive 84%

 

• Disability pension indexation not being aligned as promised by Government , which means less payments .

 

• Military compensation, and

 

• Health matters related to mental health, accommodation needs and support including financial aid to carers

• By necessity we have to work within the political realm to influence the government and Parliament of the day at the legislative level and at the electorate level with voters to accept our representations and to correct what we believe are real problems to our family.

 

• We do not support any political party nor do we tell people how to vote. We simply present the issue as a comparison of each party's electoral platform on that issue alone.

 

• The voters' decision at the ballot box is theirs alone to make on the basis of what they believe is right for themselves, their family, their country and their future. What I ask from your Association in Qld is to provide me with names of people (it can be a family member) who are willing to join the LAG in a support and/or leader role to promote our objectives. All supporting promotional matter will be provided and the group will work as a Team .