MEDIA STATEMENT
3 August 2012
12,000 JOIN OUTCRY OVER DEFENCE TRAVEL CUTS
Former Army Major’s campaign on Change.org takes off; says travel allowance cuts will hit morale in ADF
Nearly 12,000 people – many of them current or former military personnel – have joined an online campaign urging the Federal Government to reinstate travel allowances for single members of the Australian Defence Force.
Former Army Major Mark Koosache started the petition on Change.org after it was revealed that the free end-of-year travel allowance was being axed.
Mark said he was thrilled with the support his petition had received, with backing coming from thousands of ordinary Australians, as well as boxer Danny Green and singer Normie Rowe.
“I am the proud father of a young Australian soldier, who is currently serving away from his family,” said Mark.
“The free end of year travel home allowance which has been granted to our defence members for decades is crucial in maintaining family links and to ensuring the highest possible morale within our defence force.
“The removal of the allowance is an attempt by the government to recover a few dollars at the expense of the well being of our defence members and their families. The removal of the allowance affects some 22,000 members and will recover the government a measly $15 million.
“In a time when our government seems happy to spend hundreds of millions on projects outside Australia, the removal of the allowance is a clear indication of the total lack of value placed upon our service members by the government.”
Mark’s Change.org petition has been flooded with comments from serving and retired military personnel, as well as their families. Comments included:
Nathan Banks: “…and they wonder why they have issues with soldier retention.”
Rhonda Russo: “What a disgrace. I have never felt so deserted by an Australian government which emphatically chooses to pander to its own agenda and not to that of the people. Our service men and women are part of the backbone of our country. Give them the respect they deserve.”
Merren Moro: “My son was in the Forces for many years and visits home were extremely important. The pressure of the job they do is not understood by the majority of the public.”
Andrea Rojek: “Our families deserve some compensation for their sacrifice to their country.”
Victoria Brown: “I have two sons in the defence force and they both do enough for this country. The least that can be done for them is to restore their travel allowance.”
James Irvine: ”As a retired officer this decision is very bad for the morale of our soldiers.”
Kevin Hamilton: “There is nothing old and outdated about this entitlement. For most of us, it is the only chance we get to see our families all year. Sure they might not think its such a big deal if you are only flying Brisbane to Sydney, but it has a significant effect on the diggers posted to areas like Darwin, where you are lucky to get a return flight to Sydney on short notice for less then $500. Not to mention the fact that not all our families live in close proximity to the airport. I know people that will have to spend this amount again just to get a taxi and bus to and from the airport.”
Marita Haley: “I am ex-RAAF, and NOK travel was really important as a single serving member when I lived only 10 hours away from my family, in Australia. To take this away from single members who are half a world away is disgraceful.”
Change.org Campaigns Director Karen Skinner said Mark’s petition was a classic example of an individual rallying support for an issue that directly affects them.
“Change.org is the world’s fastest growing platform for social change and allows anyone, anywhere to start campaigns on issues they care about,” said Karen.
For live signature updates on Mark’s petition: http://www.change.org/adf
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Tony Robertson, Communications Director, Change.org 0419 867 230
Petition starter Mark Koosache (02) 9605 1509
