Post by Banker on Apr 13, 2012 7:08:14 GMT 7
Central Coast Vietnam veterans campaign for a fair deal.
Bob Ihlein, of Long Jetty, and other Australian veterans are battling the Australian Government to have their superannuation and disability pensions indexed using the same percentage rises as the age pension.
Armed with flyers and posters, veterans like Mr Ihlein are engaging in Operation AWARE to raise public awareness of their grievances with the government.
Their slogan is: The Honourable Thing To Do.
“As a condition of service I signed on every six years until I served 20 years,” Mr Ihlein said.
“I was promised in 1988 my pension would have the same purchasing power in later years.”
Instead defence disability and retirement pensions are indexed to the CPI and not the cost of living as is the aged pension.
Over the past 10 years the aged pension index has increased by 95 per cent whereas the military superannuation and disability pension has increased by only 33 per cent.
If Mr Ihlein dies tomorrow his wife will get 62 per cent of his superannuation whereas a politician’s partner would get 83 per cent of the superannuation.
“It’s just not fair,” Mr Ihlein said this week.
“We want to be treated fairly.
“We do not want to disrespect Anzac Day, but we want people to not only remember those who didn’t return home, but to spare a thought for those who did.
“We served Australia with pride so asking for help doesn’t come easily.”
BOB’S ROLL CALL
BOB Ihlein was only 19 when he signed up for his first tour duty of Vietnam.
It was 1968 and he served overseas for 12 months.
On his return, he decided to make the Army his career, serving for a total of 20 years.
He is now is part of a campaign that seeks public support for a better deal for Vietnam veterans.
``Call or write to your Federal MP and senators and have your say,’’ he said.
goo.gl/0MCPy
Bob Ihlein, of Long Jetty, and other Australian veterans are battling the Australian Government to have their superannuation and disability pensions indexed using the same percentage rises as the age pension.
Armed with flyers and posters, veterans like Mr Ihlein are engaging in Operation AWARE to raise public awareness of their grievances with the government.
Their slogan is: The Honourable Thing To Do.
“As a condition of service I signed on every six years until I served 20 years,” Mr Ihlein said.
“I was promised in 1988 my pension would have the same purchasing power in later years.”
Instead defence disability and retirement pensions are indexed to the CPI and not the cost of living as is the aged pension.
Over the past 10 years the aged pension index has increased by 95 per cent whereas the military superannuation and disability pension has increased by only 33 per cent.
If Mr Ihlein dies tomorrow his wife will get 62 per cent of his superannuation whereas a politician’s partner would get 83 per cent of the superannuation.
“It’s just not fair,” Mr Ihlein said this week.
“We want to be treated fairly.
“We do not want to disrespect Anzac Day, but we want people to not only remember those who didn’t return home, but to spare a thought for those who did.
“We served Australia with pride so asking for help doesn’t come easily.”
BOB’S ROLL CALL
BOB Ihlein was only 19 when he signed up for his first tour duty of Vietnam.
It was 1968 and he served overseas for 12 months.
On his return, he decided to make the Army his career, serving for a total of 20 years.
He is now is part of a campaign that seeks public support for a better deal for Vietnam veterans.
``Call or write to your Federal MP and senators and have your say,’’ he said.
goo.gl/0MCPy