A raw deal for veterans

By: willy*bach (Registered ) on 15-10-2007 08:33

Dear Noel, Doug and Jim 
 
I am doing research for a Masters on the Secret War in Laos at QUT, which involves some documentation of veterans who have served in war zones or who were involved in 'warlike activities'. Quite a lot of these people have been denied their rights. I am very aware that both major parties have a policy of sending the ADF to war and then they try to dodge the issue of adequate compensation. Veterans Affairs is a bi-partisan area of government. 
 
These same political leaders are quick to drape themselves in the Australian flag to instil patriotism in the community. But they try to do their dirty work on the cheap.  
 
I have heard that the current federal government spend as much as A$60 million to outsource legal advice to fight against veterans' claims. I expect Labor to do the same; but I suggest lobbying Labor’s Allan Griffin MP. This is the only time you can succeed in getting anything from these people – but be quick. His contact details: 
http://www.griffinmp.com/ veterans.html  
 
The two major parties are so alike that they may be useless to you. You could try the two smaller parties that could get the balance of negotiation in the Senate:  
 
Senator Bob Brown  
http://www.bobbrown.org.au/ 900_contact.php  
 
Senator Andrew Bartlett 
http://andrewbartlett.com/ contact.php  
 
How much they can help you will be determined by how overworked they already are. 
 
If I were you I would also write letters to the editor and warn young Australians that the same could happen to them. If I had my time over I would not have joined unless compensation is pre-arranged, as personal injury and life insurance would be. 
 
Willy Bach 
Greens candidate for Griffith

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