Sorry, just listened to the budget speech, not impressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to quit full time work last year after 44 years of full time employment.  20 of those were in the defence forcesa nd have sufferred for many years from some results of that time in service.  Fortunately, I have been awarded a very basic disability pension of $350 a fortnight to help me through, I also get a defence super payment of just over $700.00 per fortnight. 

In my sixty years of life, I have raised 4 children to maturity, one with a very serious health disability that kept me on the brink of the breadline and having to moonlight on part time jobs just to keep everyone in the home fed.

Admittedly, after the age of 45, life did get easier for me,.free from the expense of raising a family, I did spend some of my then average income on some personal whims and activities that maybe should have been better put into ensuring my prosperous retirement.  But I did have a good superannuation scheme at the time..

Now I live in a small coastal community where the average age would be in the high 50s, looking at local younger people in the area who have never put in a full days productive employment in their life getting payouts from the taxes I have paid that exceeds twice what I get.

I was happy to live on what I would get from my super plus the defence money, till I discovered that someone close tyo me, who has not worked for over 32 years, gets a pension plus allowances far exceeding what I worked for.  This was the catalyst to get me to apply for the DVA pension (which I have earned, but was reluctant to take as a handout because I have never lived on welfare)

Sorry, gotta stop now before I start getting over verbose...   Just wanted to express my dismay in the system



We should ban falsehoods and spin from politics, remove the parlaimentary exemption from being challenged for telling lies in the house, and bring these people back to our level of backing their words with actions

unfortunately you are in a very large boat that has many occupants, in our street alone we have 3 returned soldiers from various conflicts, they are now widowers and well basically cant afford to feed themselves 

they are lucky in that the street they grew up in (here) is very much aware of their plight, we help them with everyday needs, we see to it they have at least one good meal a day and they are invited to all our doo's, 

we lost one last year and the only ones that turned up at his funeral were his street neighbors, this man was wounded in battle but thrown aside by the modern world
 
if anyone is going down the street then the offer is always there for a ride or to collect "things' we have now started to spread this to our street behind us through our rear neighbors, there is a couple of folks that need help along there as well
 
in this day and age of gross income and disgracefull payouts the "common" folks are getting left behind, I feel it is governments resonsibility to pick up the tab but we find more and more that it is falling to the community to pick up the slack
 
we owe an enormous debt to our boys and girls, one that can never be repayed but at least we could keep them in a little bit of comfort to say the least in their old age

While I may come accross as another ex-serviceman having a grouch, I also worked for 20 + years in the public sector. My complaint is against those who expect to be given everything for free without the first requirement that they have to earn the right to deserve what they get. I'm not talking about those who are unable to provide for themselves, but those who have the ability to work, but do not because they can live on the generosity of others, and the hard working taxpayer.

got a couple of those buggers on our street as well, they do not get invites to our little get togethers

If you're entitled to the TPI, go for it. You may not think so, but I personally believe you've earned it. It's there for you. Why make your life tougher than it need be? Playing the martyr is not very brave. Standing up for what's rightfully yours is your right. You worked for it, you represented your country in the defence forces, and you are entitled, whether you feel you deserve it or not. Pride doesn't provide a lifestyle, or even an existence. Be proud of your life, and your achievements, and hold your head high when you arrange your entitlements with your local Advocate, and get what is owed to you, with your head held high. And be proud. Cheers Chris

Thankyou so much Chris.  I have been telling Bob the exact same thing for ages now.

Maybe these sentiments coming from someone else will make him see that he does in fact deserve it and has earnt it like we have been telling him.

Thanks again

Shuddup Ma, I can still launch my little tinny, catch a fish or two, spin a few tall stories with my mates on ANZAC day and boast about how I helped Oz stay free. Thanks Chris, I knew someone would understand. But you must excuse me , I have to go and kick the dog out of his kennel now, get the airbed out of the shed, find the air compressor and make myself a cozy bed for the night. If youy see Ma online, tell her I love her and will be ready for her to cook my breakfast in the morning.

Yes I can understand what everyone is saying as we have brought up four kids all of whom are working thank goodness what makes me mad though is British Army while he was there he was attached to the Australian army and was taking messages back and forth to the font lines but he is not reconised by the Australian government for doing this so just gets the part English pension and the aged Australian pension. As we were not fortunate enough to have been in the employment that gave super we just have to cope with the pension. seems as if I am griping but it does make me so mad. But on a brighter note we have our health and enjoy the little that we have and make each day cout. Helena.

I am aware of some people who have served in some of those cross-over operations during WWII, but the defence forces of both countries have been very selective when it comes to rewarding their troops. If you persist with an RSL Advocate, they can investigate on your behalf, and help you pursue what is rightfully yours. Get some help and support in your battle, and good luck. Cheers chris

Thaks granny, but I think Bill has just given up with it now as he says we are happy and that's the main thing. Helena.

I agree with Chris (yet again) on this one, I pay great swags of taxes and all it is doing at the moment is supporting the breeding non workers of australia, if I had a choice i would support you fellers long before them!! my taxes into decent pockets thank you!! go claim it!!

Yes I agree with you Dave but there is no shifting Bill stubborn bugga ain't he Helena

oops maybe shouldn't have put the B word in. Helena.

honestly I think it's absolute mindnumbing stupidity to throw our money back in our faces for whatever reason, our nation called and you people answered, I would like to see you all getting your justified well earned monies and more, its my money, our money, the peoples money, your money, not the governments I would like to see it placed in the right hands the dragon and I work bloody hard for our doe and we dont like seeing it wasted on low life drips who get paid to sit on their freckle while our "good folk" go hungry and go without us pair could support a few of you fellers on what we pay in taxes and whats more we would be bloody proud and gratefull to do it, we owe you a hell of a lot more than that!! be dopey mules if you like, but it is sheer stupidity to not get what is rightfully yours, nothing more, nothing less, I tell you what, you reckon I'm a bloody nag in here and have a lot to say, just let me get face to face with you stubborn drongoes and see what you get, and whats more I represent a lot of people out here with exacary the same thoughts, they just dont want to say it go and get your money before they spend it all!! soapbox back now!! (till next time!!!)

Thanks for that Dave I'm working on him. Helena.

I'm not a trained advocate for Veterans but I do my bit wherever I can and I cannot URGE VETERANS STRONGLY ENOUGH to pursue their right and justifiable claims.

DVA have some unsavory habits certainly while dealing with you as a Veteran making a claim but their aim is to pisssss (Language Basil language ok Discourage) you off so that you withdraw and go away and get out of their hair. Once your claim is accepted they are the nicest people to deal with, miraculously the people with the foreign accents seem to dissapear and they are as helpful as they can be....

Just a few traps they employ, a person with a heavy accent will phone you from DVA to ask a question that they already know the answer to, bear in mind that they already know what ails you so they know damned well if you are deaf or whatever and the first question you don't even know you are answering is "Good day mr/mrs X how are you today?" (thus far without the accent). The Vet replies "Ok", "Fine", I'm well thanks" as you would do, then the accent cuts in and they ask you questions and the poor Vet who can't understand trys to persevere....
Then nothing more is heard till you get to the review of your claim and miraculously you get told that yes indeed they spoke to Mr/Mrs X at such and such a time and we asked him her how they were and they responded "Ok", "Fine", I'm well thanks" then you hear that you responded negativley to their questions or was rude in as much as you hung up etc.....Then it's too late they have you by the private parts.
If this ever happens firstly insist absolutley that you speak to a person without a heavy accent or refer them to your advocate (if you have one). Refuse to answer any obviously stupid questions and also don't fall for the "How are you today" trick. Also log any phone calls time date etc and if possible a name and you are quite within your rights to respond "Why are you asking me this? it is on file and you have it on your screen in front of you now".
Always send any correspondence via registered mail (DVA seems to loose at least 50% of applications) and keep a copy.

Remember it is best if you can find a tenacious person who has experience to help & represent you with your claim from the RSL or VVA.... The wording on the aplications has to be exact and precise and yes they will reject claims for spelling and gramatical errors ( but of course won't say anything - you will be lead to believe your claim is going along swimmingly).

THERE IS NO SHAME OR LACK OF HONOUR BY SEEKING HELP!!!!  DVA will tell you that you can do it yourself but you need a legal degree to understand their system and comprehend their confusing statements of principles etc.

Thaks Basil hopefully he will listen. The problem seems to be that he was in the British army and was unofficially attached to the Australian camp in Korea apparently it is the unofficial part that is not recognised. Helena.