It was my pleasure
today to witness first hand the work being done by the men
and women of the Australian Defence Force to bring peace and
stability to the people of Timor-Leste. I had the opportunity
to meet with the Australian commander, Brigadier Michael Slater,
and brief many of the deployed troops on the ADF conditions
of service package that has been determined for Operation
ASTUTE. ADF service in Timor-Leste on Operation ASTUTE has
been declared 'non-warlike'. This decision reflects Defence's
current assessment that the situation in Timor-Leste, while
unstable, does not meet conditions that would warrant a higher
classification.
Operation ASTUTE attracts a tax-free Deployment Allowance
of $78.60 per day paid in addition to normal salary. Other
environmental allowances such as Field Allowance or Seagoing
Allowance will also be paid to those eligible. This brings
the financial package to $127.99 per day for a soldier deployed
in the field who also has dependants in Australia, and $121.47
per day for those without dependants. All ADF personnel deployed
for 91 days or more may have all ADF income and benefits treated
as tax-free from the date of their deployment.
Other benefits include an additional accrual of recreation
leave, comprehensive military compensation and rehabilitation
coverage, and taxation concessions that depend upon the length
of deployment. The Australian Service Medal, with clasp 'Timor-Leste',
will also be awarded. Families back in Australia will continue
to be offered a range of practical, emotional and emergency
support through the Defence Community Organisation and the
ADF's National Welfare Coordination Centre, where staff are
available to offer assistance 24 hours a day. About 2500 ADF
personnel deployed on Operation ASTUTE will benefit from the
total financial and non-financial conditions of service package.