Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2003/Boost for boardings
Introduction of a $40 per day Boarding Party Allowance
By Directorate of Naval Employment Conditions
The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) conducted a hearing on 30 July 2003 to consider compensation for disabilities experienced by ADF personnel during boarding operations that are not already compensated by the ADF allowance and salary structure.
The Tribunal approved a Boarding Party Allowance as an additional element of Seagoing Allowance and to be paid on an 'on occurrence' daily basis at the rate of $40 per day.
To be eligible, ADF members must be an authorised member of a boarding, holding or steaming party conducting an authorised boarding. Members are then entitled to a payment of $40 for any day (from 0001 to 2359) on which the member boards one or more target vessels.
In addition to eligible RAN members, the allowance is also payable to other ADF members involved in authorised boarding operations such as the Army Tactical Support Elements (TSE) embarked for operations such as Op Relex.
In line with past tribunal decisions, this new element will not be paid concurrently with any Deployment Allowance for operational service empowered by Ministerial Determination under section 58b of the Defence Act or the following allowances (disability element):
- Arduous Conditions Allowance - Determination No 12 of 1997.
- Special Action Forces Allowance - Determination No 11 of 2002 (item numbers 1,2 or 5 of the schedule), and
- Specialist Operations Allowance - Determination No 19 of 2002 (item numbers 1,2,3 or 23 of the schedule)
The new element of Seagoing Allowance will be paid for eligible boarding operations from 31 July 2003. There will be no consideration of retrospectivity in relation to this allowance.
Further information regarding administrative arrangements and the date of the first payment will be advised in due course.
For further information, please contact SOEC3 at Directorate of Naval Employment Conditions, on telephone (02) 6265 1851
