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| DEFENCE RESERVES SUPPORT E-NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2007 | ||
In conjunction with the annual Defence and Industry Conference, Mr Peter Lindsay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Lieutenant General David Hurley, Chief of Capability Development Executive and Air Vice-Marshal Norman Grey (Ret'd), Managing Director of Thales Australia each addressed 130 delegates at a special Reserves breakfast function.  | ||
 In 2001 the Federal Government introduced legislation designed to protect the rights of Reservists in employment and education. The Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001, has been in effect for more than five years and a review of the Act and its supporting regulations was ordered by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay MP earlier this year. The public consultation phase has now been completed. This phase saw the Review Panel visit every State and Territory of Australia. The Panel expects to deliver its draft report in October. The Panel is currently collating the oral and written submissions that it received. Many of these are available to review on the DRS website. In other ORSP news, the peak body for university decision-makers, the Australian Vice Chancellors Committee has agreed to support the comprehensive protection policy for student Reservists that was launched by the Parliamentary Secretary in May. Negotiations with Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) CEO, Colin Adrian, have also yielded positive results with CIT to be Australia’s first vocational institution to adopt the set of guidelines. Later this year, CIT will promote the policy to Australia's other 54 TAFEs, calling for all educational institutions in Australia to adopt the policy. | ||
Representatives from major South Australian hospitals, specialist health care facilities and private practices were addressed by the Surgeon General Australian Defence Force Rear Admiral Graeme Shirtley at Adelaide’s Health Professionals Breakfast on 14 August. RADM Shirtley provided an update on the important work Reservists have been doing around the world. Other fascinating speakers included Wing Commander Andrew Pearce of No. 24 (City of Adelaide) Squadron. WGCDR Pearce, who is the Acting Director Royal Adelaide Hospital Mediflight Retrieval Service and an Emergency/Trauma/Retrieval Consultant in his civilian life, spoke about his various deployments overseas and inspired the audience to consider joining the Defence Reserve. | ||
 For the statistically minded! ESP expenditure was up from $1.367m in June 2007 to $1.609m in July 2007. This increase may be as a result of the increase in the average weekly full-time adult ordinary time earnings rate from $1,035.90 per week for financial year (FY) 2006/07 to $1,070.40 per week for FY 2007/08. Although the figures are increasing, ESP expenditure is not as high as expected, due in part to the requirement to complete the two week qualifying period (QP) for FY 2007/08. The QP is a non-payment period and must be served each FY to be eligible to receive ESP payments. However, the QP should still be claimed at Section A of the claim form. Claim forms are available here. For any queries about the ESP scheme, call 1800 803 485. | ||
 Golf Anyone? – Adelaide, 29 October 2007 Would you like to join other employers and Defence personnel on the golf course and learn about the evolving partnership between the ADF and employers of Reservists while practicing your swing? For more information or to register your interest - (08) 8305 6136 | ||
 ADF Charity Ball 2007 – climbing to new heights
Join us at the 2nd Annual black tie gala event! While raising money for worthy charities is the primary aim, the ball is also designed to bring South East Queensland's Defence and corporate worlds together. | ||
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