Please find below a Joint Media Release from the Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mrs Louise Markus MP, and the Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence, the Hon Bob Baldwin MP, regarding a Senate Inquiry into proposed changes to military superannuation.

Key points

·       Written submissions to the Senate Inquiry are due by Friday, 5 March 2010 (this Friday)

·       A public hearing will be held on Thursday, 11 March 2010

·       The Committee will report its findings on Monday, 15 March 2010.

Please contact Robert Hardie (0418 432 909) or Richard Briedis (0401 056 054) for more information.

Mrs Louise Markus MP            The Hon Bob Baldwin MP

Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs           Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and

                Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence

JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

Saturday, 27 February 2010

SENATE INQUIRY INTO SUPERANNUATION REFORM

The Senate will hold an Inquiry into military and civilian superannuation reforms proposed by the Rudd Labor Government.

The Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Louise Markus MP, and the Shadow Minister for Defence Science, Personnel and Assisting Shadow Minister for Defence, Bob Baldwin MP, said the Coalition urged interested individuals to make a submission to the Senate on these Bills.

“The veteran community  have made numerous representations to me with concerns about the Governance of Australian Superannuation Schemes Bill 2010 and related Bills”, Mrs Markus said.

“The Bills propose the management of civilian and military superannuation schemes be merged into one new authority, with a 10-person board comprising three trade union representatives and two Defence representatives”, Mr Baldwin said.  “The remaining five representatives will be chosen by the Finance Minister.”

“The Coalition does not support the inclusion of three trade unionists onto a board managing military superannuation. Furthermore, we do not believe the merger is in the best interests of veterans, ex-service members or the broader Australian community.

Mr Baldwin and Mrs Markus said military superannuation remained an issue which evoked deep passion in the ex-service community.

“The Senate Inquiry will provide an opportunity for those people with concerns about military superannuation arrangements to have their voices heard.”

Written submissions to the Senate Inquiry need to be lodged by Friday 5 March 2010, with a public hearing set down for Thursday 11 March 2010.  The Senate Inquiry will report to the Senate with its findings on Monday 15 March 2010.

Written submissions can be made by Friday 5 March 2010 to:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration
PO Box 6100, Parliament House
CANBERRA    ACT    2600

Email: fpa.sen@aph.gov.au

Mrs Markus and Mr Baldwin encourage anyone with a view on military superannuation management arrangements, especially the proposed merger, to contact the committee with their views.

MEDIA CONTACT   Robert Hardie (0418 432 909) (Mrs Markus)

                        Richard Briedis (0401-056-054) (Mr Baldwin)

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