Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2007/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
On behalf of DFA National Delegates and Senior Representatives, I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. For families with loved ones at sea or simply ’absent from home’ during this period we send you a very special holiday blessing.
For those of you on the move during this peak posting period may the ‘moving gods’ be kind to you and you get to spend some of the holiday session with extended family and friends.
Many of our volunteers, our delegates and senior representatives relocate over the Christmas/New Year period. If you experience difficulties getting through to your local representative contact our national office on 1800 100 509 or log onto www.dfa.org.au.
National Curriculum
DFA is preparing a submission on the need for a national consistency to our education system. Navy families often experience this lack of national consistency mostly because of west, north and east seagoing posting cycles Both sides of the politics support the need for greater consistency and DFA will continue to lobby hard to bring a more of a national approach to our children’s education.
Christmas posting cycle
If you are relocating during the busiest moving time of the year, DFA would like to remind you to get your paperwork in as early as possible. This can affect, amongst other things, your temporary accommodation bookings and the timely arrival of your car in the gaining location.
We recommend that you refer to the Moving Supplement Lift Out from the Spring 2007 issue of Defence Family Matters for some great tips and checklists to make your move run as smoothly as possible. The Moving Supplement Lift Out includes the contact details of the Defence Relocations and Housing Managers for all areas – really important if things start to ‘turn south’
Also please read you ‘Easy Move Guide’ provided by Toll – the information provided in this is book is really important in ensuring as smooth as move as possible.
As always, DFA is seeking suggestions & comments from families about their relocation, in particular the recent changes to Homefind which should have provided families more properties to view in their new locality. Please let us know how you go.
Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Review
DCO is currently undergoing a major review. DFA has been involved in providing detailed feedback as part of this review. Both face to face and written engagement occurred with key feedback from DFA to Defence in relation to DCO. Our central focus is families must be DCO priority and programmes should address the unqiue aspect of our lives – frequent deployments (absent from home) and the frequent moving
MWDU Review
DFA supports any policy which gives families choice. The married with dependents (unaccompanied) (MWDU) policy was introduced to provide families with some flexibility and stability.
The policy is under review and we value your feedback on your. Families have many reasons for choosing not to move to a new location such as schooling for the children, work, or proximity to family support.
We have had feedback on the option of choosing a third location ie where the member moves to one location (new posting locality) and the member’s family moves to another location. In navy terms this is often referred to as a ‘home port’ option. The benefit of this third location is moving a family to their support network while their partner is at sea.
On the negative side we have also had feedback on how MWDU is hard on the family, that reunion flights are difficult to take because of operational and other commitments and that it is emotionally draining on all the family.
Choosing to go MWDU is a significant family decision and DFA recommends you get as much information about your new posting location as possible before making any final decisions.
Have you applied for or used this option at any time? Please tell us about your experience on our website, email or call us.
Housing
The New Housing Classification Policy – now the Housing Classification Policy (HCP) – was introduced on July 1. So far DFA has received little feedback on the policy, however the peak posting season is now upon us and we expect to see the full impact of the change.
It is our understanding that this will enable Defence Housing Australia to deliver a greater variety of housing types within ranking group. This policy will also improve housing standards for junior ranks.
The HCP is very complex and will be introduced over time. DFA is maintaining regular contact with DHA and Defence to ensure concerns are addressed.
General enquiries on the NHCP should be directed to DHA’s customer service line on 1800 249 711. Issues with the NHCP should be directed to the Defence Service Centre 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362).
Support
Families can show support for DFA by subscribing to our family information network. Please take a few minutes to enter your details on our web site. You will receive regular DFA news bulletins updating you on DFA activities and contribute to being a ‘voice for Defence families’.
DFA Subscribe: www.dfa.org.au/subscribe.php
How can you be involved in DFA?
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with DFA or becoming a senior representative for your area, please contact your local national delegate or check out our website.
DFA: www.dfa.org.au
Nicole Quinn
National Convenor
Defence Families of Australia
CP2-1-11
Dept. of Defence
Canberra ACT 2600
convenor@dfa.org.au
www.dfa.org.au
