Navy, Army and Air Force veterans from past and present conflicts will hold a protest with a difference this Thursday (June 28) when wearing their campaign medals, they will hold a demonstration outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court to complain that their superannuation provider is not included in the current Royal Commission into Banking and Superannuation.
The aim of the protest is to get the Federal Government to amend the terms of reference to include an examination of the military superannuation funds administered by the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation (CSC).
More than 230,000 veterans and currently serving Australian Defence Force personnel have their superannuation administered by the (CSC) and it is the only major superannuation fund manager to be excluded from the Royal Commission’s scrutiny.
President of the Defence Force Welfare Association’s Queensland Branch, John Lowis, said “As veterans, we are conservative by nature and rarely demonstrate but the voices of 230,000 serving and former servicemen and women should be heard, not silenced.
“For several years, veterans have been subjected to CSC conduct and practices that are not in the best interests of its members and that’s no different to the many revelations already covered by the Royal Commission,” he continued.
“At times the CSC has failed to respond convincingly to the valid approaches by former members of the Australian Defence Force who have sought clarification of their concerns. This has caused severe financial and emotional hardship to many veterans and their families,” he added.
Memo
The protest will take place between 10 am and 11.30 am outside the Brisbane Magistrates Court, 363 George Street Brisbane. Veterans will be available for interview through John Lowis (0439 192 574).
Contacts
Branch President – John Lowis
0439 192 574
president@qld.dfwa.org.au