ED: From my inbox.

Dear Andrew Hastie,

I watched your segment on the Bolt Report where you discussed the possible causes for the major shortfall to recruiting targets.

What was missing from your argument, whether inadvertently or deliberately was the “Wokeness” direction in which our military is being driven.

You did allude to the fact that recruits might be too far from home and thus disinclined to join.

You didn’t mention the progressive reduction in entry standards applied to new recruits especially women, nor the disparity in the qualifying period.

You didn’t address the pursuit of the LGBTIA agenda (fingernails, high heeled shoes and rainbow military badges) that seem to take centre stage.

You didn’t mention the requirement for a significant proportion of ADF food to be “Halal” certified to comply with and appease a minority group.

You didn’t talk to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion quota being imposed at the expense of the Masculine Anglo-Saxon majority from which you historically recruited.

But worst of all you didn’t refute the current Tall Poppy syndrome that seeks to denigrate the very essence for which the ADF once stood.

To the contrary you failed to stand up for the courageous men like Ben Robert Smith and Heston Russell and many others who put their lives on the line for Australia.

Instead, you allowed the court of public opinion lead by the MSM to smear them.

Instead of obfuscating Andrew – Address the real issues – lest you be remembered as the unworthy successor to Stephen Smith who started the ADF demise.

ED: Feel free to add your comments.

During a recent Senate estimates hearing, the Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell, sharply criticised independent senator Jacqui Lambie for allegedly spreading misleading information about the remuneration packages of senior commanders.

Campbell’s heated remarks were in response to Lambie’s assertion that the vehicle allowance for these top-ranking officers had been substantially increased, which would effectively boost their salaries by 10%.

In terms of specifics, the typical remuneration package for senior commanders comprises of a basic salary and additional allowances. While it is not publicly stated the exact amount for these officers, an increase in vehicle allowance by 10% could signify a substantial increment, especially if the base salary is in the higher brackets.

However, General Campbell refuted these claims, saying, “There is no additional money being received. An allowance has been pushed into the salary. It is very simple, very clear.” He accused the senator of trying to create a rift between the senior command and the rest of the Australian Defence personnel, including naval sailors, aviators, and soldiers. “I think it is deeply undermining of the cohesion of the force,” Campbell added, concluding with, “And quite frankly, Senator, you should be ashamed of yourself.”

Senator Lambie subsequently issued a statement expressing her shock at General Campbell’s reaction. Reiterating her commitment to accountability, she mentioned, “It is my job, and the job of all Senators, to hold all public officials to account for taxpayer money.” Lambie also pointed out that her interactions with the Chief of Defence reflect a broader issue: “It is very obvious that the Chief of Defence believes that there is one rule for senior command and another rule for Diggers.”

To address this ongoing contention, Senator Lambie has reached out to Defence Minister Richard Marles, seeking a retraction of Campbell’s remarks.

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A message from the Returned & Services League of Australia

Twice a year, around ANZAC Day and Christmas, members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployed overseas receive thoughtful care packages from RSL Australia to thank them for their service.

These care packages contain an assortment of quintessentially Australian snacks and treats, along with a letter from RSL Australia on behalf of the nation conveying sincere gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

Deployments can be isolating, and receiving a care package from Australia can provide a connection to home. One recipient expressed: ‘It is quite special to be thought of outside of the family back home.’ Another remarked: ‘To be frank, it made my day as all the items cannot be bought here. It is very much appreciated and makes a big difference knowing that people and organisations care.’

The RSL tradition of demonstrating gratitude for those deployed began back in 1963 when the RSL organised Christmas care packages for members of the Australian Army serving in Vietnam. Following the withdrawal of troops from Vietnam, the RSL resolved to continue to support Australian forces on missions abroad and formally established the RSL Australian Forces Overseas Fund (AFOF) in 1966.

The fund is mainly used to provide biannual care packages, however during the ADF deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the RSL identified a need to provide additional support for ADF members seriously wounded on overseas service.

The fund was used to create RSL Support Packs for seriously wounded personnel who required treatment through the NATO hospital facilities in Germany and later hospitalisation in Australia. It was also used to offer respite, providing a week-long, all-expenses-paid break within Australia with the family of the wounded ADF member once they arrived home.

Donations to the RSL AFOF, and the support of volunteers who give up two days to assemble the packages at the 39 OSB Randwick Barracks in Sydney, make these care packages possible.

The RSL AFOF Care Packages go beyond the tangible items inside the boxes. This gesture sends a powerful message to our service men and women they are thought of back home and their sacrifices are deeply appreciated.

Compensation and Health Care treatment under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

Who is Eligible?

Former Australian Defence Force personnel who satisfy the definition of having rendered British Nuclear Test (BNT) defence service or service as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan after the Second World War are eligible to claim for conditions arising from that service. Widow/ers of BNT/BCOF participants may also be eligible to claim, if the death was related to BNT/BCOF service, or the BNT/BCOF participant was eligible for Disability Compensation Payment above 100% of the General Rate.

For detailed BNT eligibility, see BNT participants who may get a Veteran Gold Card.

How do you apply

To lodge a claim, complete either the D2582 Claim for Disability Compensation Payment, or D2663 Claim for Pension by a Widow, Widower or other Dependant of a Deceased Veteran and submit it by post to Department of Veterans’ Affairs, GPO Box 9998, Brisbane QLD 4001, or lodge it in person at your nearest DVA Office.

Health Care Treatment

The 2017-18 Budget included a measure to provide the Veteran Gold Card to all Australian participants in the British nuclear tests in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s (including certain civilians within the test areas) and to Australians who were part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan after the Second World War.

Treatment is provided under the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests and British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Treatment) Act 2006.

Who is Eligible?

British nuclear tests in Australia were conducted at Emu Field and Maralinga in South Australia and at the Monte Bello Islands off the West Australian coast from 1952 to 1957. Eligibility for the Veteran Gold Card was extended to those who were working, either as an Australian Defence Force member or as a Commonwealth employee or contractor, in at least one of these testing areas while tests were conducted or were present in a test area within a two year period after the relevant explosion. Those who participated in the minor nuclear test trials conducted between 1953 and 1963 are also eligible.

Eligibility was also extended to Commonwealth Police, Australian Federal Police and Australian Protective Service Officers who patrolled the Maralinga nuclear test area up to 30 June 1988.

Others who were in a nuclear test area at a relevant time are also eligible, regardless of whether their presence in a nuclear test area was associated with the nuclear tests. This includes pastoralists and indigenous people among others.

The British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) was created on 31 January 1946 and ceased to exist on 28 April 1952. Eligibility for the Veteran Gold Card was extended to any person who served with the Australian contingent in Japan as part of BCOF. Service in Japan as part of the British Commonwealth Forces Korea is not included, regardless of the dates of service.

How do you apply

If you were present at any of the British Nuclear Test sites in Australia or served with the Australian contingent of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan after the end of the Second World War please fill out the claim form and return it to:

Department of Veterans’ Affairs
British Nuclear Test Participants and British Commonwealth Occupation Force Participants
GPO Box 9998
Brisbane QLD 4001

Alternatively, you can lodge the form at your local DVA office.

• D9056 Registration for a Gold Card for Australian British Nuclear Test Participants and Australian British Commonwealth Occupation Force Participants

Commemorative Medallion

A medallion commemorating Australian participation in the British Nuclear Tests in Australia was minted in time for the 50th anniversary of the end of the major tests in October 2007 and recognises the service of those Australians who participated in or provided support to the Program.

Who is Eligible?

Any Australian, whether military personnel, police or civilians who participated in or provided support to the British Nuclear Test Program in Australia can make a claim for the Medallion.

How do you apply

If you participated in or provided support to the British Nuclear Test Program in Australia, you can lodge a claim for the Medallion by filling out the claim form and return it to:

Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Income Support New Claims
GPO Box 9998
Brisbane QLD 4001

Alternatively, you can lodge the form at your local DVA office.

If you wish to obtain a hard copy of the form or would like any further information about the Medallion, please contact the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and ask to speak with the Income Support New Claims section.

1. Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has submitted a bill to parliament for the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership.
2. Erdoğan’s move follows a commitment he made at a NATO summit in July to send the bill for ratification in October.
3. Historically, Erdoğan has delayed Sweden’s application to gain concessions from the US, notably the sale of F-16s to Turkey, which faced delays in the US Senate.
4. Turkey has also demanded Sweden enforce stricter rules on extraditing Kurdish asylum seekers, believing Sweden’s actions against the Kurdistan Workers party militia to be insufficient.
5. The Turkish parliament moved forward with the accession bill on October 23, 2023.
6. Only Turkey and Hungary remain among NATO members that have not ratified Sweden’s membership.
7. Hungary, which has ties to both Ankara and Moscow, has given inconsistent reasons for its delay. It has faced criticism for its perceived erosion of democratic norms by other European nations.
8. Some speculate Hungary might not want to be the sole NATO member opposing Sweden’s accession.
9. Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, welcomed Turkey’s move and anticipates Sweden joining NATO soon.
10. No fixed timeframe exists for the ratification process; the bill will first be reviewed by the parliament’s foreign affairs commission.
11. Sweden and Finland sought NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland became a member in April.
12. Recent damage to telecommunications cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea, connecting Nordic and Baltic countries, has raised security concerns attributed to Russia’s antagonism.

The forthcoming V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program in Melbourne welcomed His Excellency Governor General, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), along with Her Excellency, Mrs. Linda Hurley, when they visited the centre.

Set to open in the coming weeks, the V Centre aims to be more than just shelter for veterans. It’s designed to provide comprehensive care, assisting veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or in suboptimal living conditions.

The creation of the V Centre is a response to the increasing needs within the younger veterans’ community. As noted by Vasey RSL Care Board Chair Mike O’Meara OAM:

He emphasized that Vasey RSL Care is well-equipped to address the issues veterans often face transitioning from military to civilian life. Concerns within the veteran community include:

• A notably higher suicide rate than the broader population.

• A homelessness rate nearly three times that of the general public.

• An estimated 300 veterans becoming homeless every year.

Drawing inspiration from successful international programs and leveraging insights from Australian experts in veterans’ affairs and homelessness, the V Centre offers a holistic Model of Care. However, O’Meara revealed that, even as the V Centre’s opening draws near, there are still challenges. An additional $12.7 million is needed to complete refurbishments and fund its operations for the first three years.

Nevertheless, optimism prevails. “We are fully dedicated to this cause and believe in its potential to bring about transformative and life-saving change,” O’Meara stated.

During the visit, the Governor General and Mrs. Hurley interacted with staff, special attendees, and listened to speeches by Mike O’Meara and CEO Janna Voloshin. A walkthrough of the soon-to-be-opened facility was led by Vasey RSL Care Executive General Manager, veteran Chris Gray, culminating in a cordial afternoon tea.

The V Centre is set to be fully operational by mid-November.

A former commando, Heston Russell, who was falsely portrayed by ABC will be granted over $400,000. However, ABC has no intentions of apologizing.

During a court session on Tuesday, it was revealed that ABC could have paid a lesser amount had they let the judge decide on Heston Russell’s legal fees. This issue arose due to ABC Investigations’ defensive approach, which eventually resulted in Russell’s defamation.

Russell, a former military commando, was wrongly depicted in articles suggesting that his team in Afghanistan had executed a prisoner because there was no space for him on a helicopter. The source of this claim was a US marine who, in mid-2012, claimed to have heard a sound over the radio indicating a reduction in prisoner count.

This story first surfaced in October 2020 and was brought up again in November 2021 when ABC stated that the Department of Defence had verified a criminal inquiry into the matter. However, this claim was later refuted by the department.

During a senate hearing on Tuesday, ABC’s managing director, David Anderson, expressed that he had no intentions of apologising for the defamation or the substantial costs incurred by the public-funded entity. He emphasized that while he is aware of the challenges faced by military returnees, it doesn’t deter ABC from holding them or the defence force accountable.

Federal Court Justice Michael Lee previously highlighted that ABC Investigations’ defensive stance led them to publish the false reports. These reports have since been taken down. He stated that ABC Investigations could have been more thorough before publishing such grave allegations in the November article.

On the recent court date, the final compensation amount was settled at $412,315, which includes interest on the initial $390,000 awarded to Mr. Russell. While his legal expenses will be covered, Justice Lee mentioned that he might have decided differently had ABC not agreed, especially after discovering that Russell had intentionally misled the court.

Justice Lee emphasized the importance of truthfulness in court resolutions. Although Russell’s false testimony could have reduced his compensation, reducing the amount due to ABC’s prior agreement would have been inappropriate.

Earlier, in September 2022, Russell’s attorney had proposed a settlement of $99,000 to ABC, which also included legal fees and the retraction of the controversial articles. Now, ABC will cover his costs till that settlement offer and post that, all costs on an indemnity basis.

In response to speculations about the cost figures reaching up to $2 million, Justice Lee has requested a detailed breakdown of expenses for his evaluation.

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson criticized the lawsuit’s expenses, suggesting it cost taxpayers millions. She argued that ABC not only tarnished Mr. Russell’s image but also compromised their credibility as a reliable news outlet. On the defence side, Mr. Anderson mentioned that $700,000 to $800,000 was used in defending the lawsuit.