Long waits for veteran payments
The Federal Government needs to “ step up for veterans ” says Macquarie MP Susan Templeman , as it struggles to process a backlog of thousands of compensation payment .
Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains vets have raised concerns with the MP over extremely long waits for claims to be processed .
Ms Templeman said there were 49,000 unprocessed Department of Veterans Affairs ( DVA ) compensation claims in December . The government promised to create hundreds of new positions to deal with the backlog , but a Senate Inquiry on 20 July heard the boost was for temporary , outsourced , labour hire contracts .
Labour hire arrangements cost taxpayers more than permanent staff and typically receive worse conditions .
In 2020 , 41.6 per cent of DVA staff were labour hire contractors , including most frontline processing staff .
“ I welcomed the government ’ s announcement that it would provide 440 additional staff for DVA to improve compensation claims processing capacity . But evidence given by the department stated there were no new permanent positions being created , only temporary contracts ,” Ms Templeman said .
“ The problem is the government has imposed staffing caps on the public service , which means the DVA can ’ t hire the staff it needs to provide veterans with the services they deserve in a timely manner .
“ So many Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury veterans have told me about
Up to 186 days to process claims
the long waits they experience with the system , and that they simply ask for trained staff at the Department who understand the issues .” The Senate Inquiry into Australian Public Service ( APS ) capability heard the DVA would need to go back to the government to request further budget funding to maintain staffing levels from 2023-24 onwards .
“ Only about two-thirds of those 440 positions have been filled , and in the meantime … veterans are waiting up to 186 days to resolve claims , and there is the very real chance the rest of those positions won ’ t be filled by the time the department has to apply to keep funding them ,” Ms Templeman added .
“ DVA officials admitted in Senate Estimates in June that demand was continuing to outstrip staff capacity , and the department needed to take more people on board to manage the workload .”
Unions , government departments and community organisations representing affected groups presented evidence on the effect labour hire arrangements had on the provision of services to veterans and Centrelink recipients .
Max a true friend to many
with Paul Rogers , Past President , Kurrajong North Richmond Rotary Club
Max Fleming was my friend and a friend of many in our community . He was also an exemplary Rotarian who has enhanced the image of Rotary through his commitment , integrity and excellence in his 46 plus years of vocation and service to Rotary .
Max first joined Rotary in 1975 at Granville and subsequently served as Granville Rotary Club President twice .
He has been a very active member of the Kurrajong North Richmond Rotary Club for over 20 years after he transferred from Granville . Max is a Paul Harris Fellow with two sapphire pins for his continued service and outstanding contribution to the community both locally and internationally .
Max also served actively as District 9685 Secretary and on the District Youth Exchange Team . Together , with his wife , Wendy , they hosted a number of youth exchange students over the years . A true act of ‘ Service Above Self ’ by the two of them . Max was a pilot – obtaining his licence at age 50 – and he liked fast cars , chocolates and a good red wine with company . He also loved a scruffy little mutt called Lucy who loved him very much .
As well as being our immediate past treasurer and strong advocate of the Rotary Foundation , Max has been heavily involved in the Hawkesbury community . He was on the board of the Hawkesbury
‘ A bit of a larrikin ’ Max celebrating his 90 th birthday last year .
Community Outreach Service ( HCOS ) and the board of his local church ( St Mark ’ s Anglican Church Freemans Reach ).
He is very highly regarded by members of all three Hawkesbury Rotary Clubs , including Richmond and Windsor . He maintains close contact with several other Sydney clubs and the Rotary District 9685 office .
Sadly , Max ’ s wife , Wendy , died eight years ago and he missed her intensely . Max is survived by his two adult children , Sandra Shea and Tim Fleming , and his granddaughter , Bethany .
It is with great sadness that our Rotary Club mourns the death of one of its most widely respected leaders .
In the course of his Rotary life – which spanned over 46 years , he was known as both President – Rotarian , a bit of a larrikin who enjoyed a joke and a smile , but above all else , was as a friend in the true sense of that word .
Max ’ s Celebration of Life and Funeral service was held on 22 July at Castlebrook Memorial Park Crematorium , Rouse Hill .
* Valid until 31 July , 2021 , not to be used in conjunction with any other offer .
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 135 // AUGUST 2021 5