Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2008/Defence Families of Australia News
Defence Families of Australia News
Defence Families of Australia (DFA) is a group formed to represent the views of Defence families. Its aim is to improve the quality of life for Defence families by providing a recognised forum for their views and by reporting, making recommendations and influencing policy that directly affects families. ADF families can contact DFA to represent them regarding an individual situation or to advocate an issue concerning many families.
National Convenor – seeking Navy families’ feedback
Happy New Year. I hope that you had a good break over the Christmas / New Year period. For those of you who recently moved to a new location I hope that you settle in quickly. For those of you with your loved ones away, our thoughts are with you.
I met with our new minister, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowden, to discuss the impact our unique Defence lifestyle has on families. He was very supportive and I will be meeting with him regularly over the coming year.
I have also been actively involved in a number of policy reviews relating to families, and our website redevelopment project is in full swing.
Our hot topic for 2008 is deployment support. DFA would particularly like to hear from Navy families on issues affecting them while a loved one is away. DFA is attempting to prioritise what could assist families during periods of long absence from home, which of course Navy families are far too experienced in. We are looking for your tips and suggestions so please Leave feedback on our website www.dfa.org.au or contact your local National Delegate.
DFA working for families
With the change of government, DFA is preparing submissions on a number of issues. These include:
Labor’s pre-election commitment to improve medical and dental services for families.
Relocation and housing. In particular DFA is pushing for a two-day download for people with a large amount of household items
Members with dependents unaccompanied (MWD(U)) policy review. Families are asking for a third location option and DFA is advocating for this on behalf of families.
Navy families have the option of activating their homeport option if the member is posted to a seagoing ship. If the third location you wish to move to is listed as your homeport, then you may be entitled to move your family to that location. Contact Directorate of Entitlements for further information
Some families are deciding to live in a third location and DFA is seeking to have the arrangement recognised by Defence. This would enable these families access to the free reunion flights and cost-free living for the member. At the moment the policy is all or nothing.
Implications of the FBT reportable component of allowances. Many families feel the sting of the FBT reportable components of some allowances and DFA is asking the new government to reconsider making all allowances non reportable. This is a whole of Government approach and DFA is meeting with all sections of Government to try and make this possible.
Please contact our national number or leave feedback on our website if you wish to share your experiences or thoughts on these or any other issues.
DFA website redevelopment
Our website redevelopment project is well underway and with plans to go live with our new site by the end of February. This is a major upgrade of our website and we will include information relating to your stage of life and circumstances, posting locations and policy and entitlements.
If you would like more information on the redevelopment, or if you have any web links or information you would like to see included, please email our Website Project Manager, Cath Scott communications@dfa.org.au.
Support!
Families can show support for DFA by subscribing to our family network. Please take a few minutes to enter your details on our web site. You will receive quarterly DFA news bulletins updating you on DFA activities and you can contribute to being a ‘voice for Defence families’.
DFA Subscribe: www.dfa.org.au/subscribe.php
How can you be involved in DFA?
Are you interested in learning more about volunteering with DFA? We have positions available for Senior Representatives in your region and would love to hear more from Navy families. If you are interested in volunteering for DFA in your area, please contact your local national delegate or check out our website.
Email: volunteers@dfa.org.au
DFA: www.dfa.org.au
Nicole Quinn
National Convenor
Defence Families of Australia
CP2-1-11
Canberra ACT 2600
convenor@dfa.org.au
www.dfa.org.au
