Minister for Veterans Affairs Dudds Diggers Again

Allan Essery says:

Not only did the Minister for Veterans Affairs, Warren Snowden, fail to answer a direct question asked of him during Question Time but the out-pouring of obfuscation, misleading claims and outright lies was an insult to those ex-service superannuants and worse, still disabled ex-servicemen and women.  In short Snowden doesn't believe that ex-service superannuants should be indexed fairly because, at $27,000 a year, they get too much.

I wonder if Mr Snowden, who will retire on a superannuation pension that would make most Australians cry, has ever seen the following poem that says it all. (author unknown but appreciated)

He was getting old and paunchy

And his hair was falling fast,

And he sat around the RSL,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his mates;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his mates listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Joe has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Digger died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life. 

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Digger died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Digger
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some fool who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which they live,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that they give.

While the ordinary Digger,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.

It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Digger
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Digger,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Digger,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his likes again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Diggers part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honour
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A DIGGER DIED TODAY." 

Alan Essery is an ex-RAAF officer retired from active duty. He was a flight instructor and charter pilot. He also writes on matters political and is a staunch battler for ex-service superannuants. He is also rumoured to be a savvy fossicker for the yellow stuff.

Comments

[joseph sarasola]

1.

beautifully written,the country's leaders should take some time to read this

[Geoff Crocker]

2.

Labor has always had a psychotic aversion to our defence forces. The treasonous sabotaging by unionists of vital equipment destined for soldiers fighting in New Guinea to save Australia from the Japs during WWII is well known for its absolute disgrace.
Why would young people join up to put their lives at risk knowing that a Labor government would grind their entitlements to a pittance?
Unfortunately, with a two-party political system, somewhere during a soldiers’ 20 years or more service, Labor will be the government. It’s like rolling a dice on your future and how you might protect yourself and your family.
One thing is certain; Labor doesn’t care a jot for ADF personnel. They care only about themselves and control to expedite their socialist agenda

[Ken of the Outer East]

3.

All politicans, not just Labor have shown a psychotic aversion to defence forces. Rember John Howard and the Clark Report? Howard didn't want to consider the recommendations that said improvements to pensions and services were warranted, a back bench revolt occured, the media got hold of it, Howard had the journalits prossecuted because they wouldn't reveal thier sources and once found guilty Howard asked the Victorian Premier to pardon them. Figure that one?
Issue is if it costs governments money, no matter who's in power they'll go screaming and kicking and when in opposition they'll cry foul play.

[Augustinus Krikke]

4.

the superannuation issue has been ongoing since the Whitlam government first STOLE the fund in 1972 and added it to 'consolidated revenue' Again in 1975, and ten Keating degraded the % in 1992.
all governments know full well that the military will not protest or comment, so are easy targets when quick fixes are required. Irrespective of the consequences!

[Jim Witt]

5.

IF YOU CAN READ THIS

THANK A TEACHER

IF YOU CAN READ THIS IN ENGLISH

THANK A DIGGER

[Allan]

6.

Ken of Outer East & Augustinus Krikke. It is incorrect to say that the military wont protest. When you say military I assume you are talking about the current ADF high command and if so you may be correct because they have proved themselves to be unworthy. On the other hand, current members of the ADF are being given a voice and represented by Veterans organisations who have been battling the government for many years.

However, the Alliance of Defence Services Organisation, the Defence Welfare Association and individuals such as myself have been force feeding this Labor government politicians from Gillard on down with their own lies and obfuscation since Kevin Rudd's pre 2007 election broken promise to fix the matter.

The actions and conduct of the Labor government in regard to veterans superannuation and veterans disability pensions and the treatment of ADF personnel in general has been a national disgrace and dealing with such dishonourable and disrespectful people would tax the patience of a saint.

Defence forces members, both current and retired, will wreak havoc at the ballot box come the election and this labor government will learn that the days of crossing defence personnel are coming to a close.

[Georgina]

7.

Knew a number of men and women who lost their lives in WW11. They fought for this country so that it could remain free. Those who are now still alive have seen more horror than anyone can imagine and deserve consideration with regard to superannuation and pensions. It is all right for politicians who sit on their backsides and do nothing but think of how much their superannuation and pensions will be, but they have done NOTHING compared to these brave men and women who deserve better than what the Government is giving them.

[Anthony Hunt (RAA rtd)]

8.

Unfortunatley if the government pays veterans appropriately they will have to do it for all the ex public servants who have their superannuation indexed the same way - that is the core of the problem with all political parties.

[Allan]

9.

Anthony, according to figures released by Finance Minister, Penny Wong, the cost of bringing ex-service and commonwealth public service superannuation up to date and indexed to maintain purchasing power would be $314 million over a forward estimate period of, I think, 5 years.

Keeping in mind that we are talking about approximately 56,000 members and diminishing then the outlay required by the government for DFRB/DFRDB members would be something like $12 million per annum after clawback ($60 million over the five year period assuming that all were still alive at the end of the five year period). The remainder would be that owed to the public servants.

Also we should keep in mind that this is not a gift from any government but a fulfillment of an employer's obligation. It is what DFRB, DFRDB members and commonwealth public servants of the time signed the dotted line for. It was a condition of service.

If a private company was pulling the same stunt they would find themselves in court very quickly and that is not beyond the realms of possibility for the government of a day that refuses to make amends.

[John P Hannon]

10.

Who brought the diggers home to face the Japanese? Of course it wasn't Menzies, it was the ALP!
Who has been the worst at supporting the ex servicemen and women, of course, it was the libs. I remember getting a $1:90 increase in TPI while little johnny howard got 10%.

[Gary]

11.

Thanks John but I have just received 0.6% increase whoopee doo. what did Juliar give herself recently? and now she will be on $200, 000 per year pension. A little bit more than my $25,000