WEST Australian Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the pay for ADF personnel to two per cent per annum over the life of the agreement, which will take effect from next pay day. This keeps ADF pay above the current annual inflation rate of 1.7pc.

Senator Reynolds and Liberal Member for Bass Andrew Nikolic, both former Brigadiers in the Army, submitted a formal proposal to the Minister for Defence which was both appropriate and affordable in the current fiscal environment.

“As a servicewoman with over 30 years of experience in the military, I understand that the men and women who serve our nation in uniform are not public servants; they serve our nation selflessly in partnership with their families ‘Senator Reynolds said.

“This includes the 6,110 West Australians who serve in the Army, Navy and Air Force in the ADF.

“Today’s decision demonstrates the Government has listened to the concerns of the defence community.

“The Government will ask the Chief of the Defence Force and the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service to seek the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal’s agreement to vary the terms of the current Workplace Remuneration Agreement.”

The decision follows the Prime Minister’s announcement last December that ADF salary increases would not be linked to improvements in productivity.

“I believe this revised offer is appropriate, affordable and strikes a better balance in recognising the unique aspects of ADF service to our nation by those in uniform and the families that support them” she said.

—ENDS—  

Media Contact: Jessica Hayes 0427333147

Fast Facts  About Senator Reynolds:  

• The first woman in the Australian Army Reserves promoted to the rank of Brigadier.
• Served as the Army’s key governance adviser in the role of Adjutant General from 2012-2013.
• Former member of the Chief of Army’s Executive Council on Gender Equality.
• Served as a course member for the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in 2011
• Was director of the Army Strategic Reform Program from 2009-10.
• Served as project director of Army Base Accountability Model Implementation Project from 2008-09.