On 21 March we wrote to all the Political Party Leaders and Independents asking for answers to our 22 Questions before going public with our ADSO Policies on 4th April .
Having not received any response to our request, we issued a media statement on the 8th April – Veterans Seek Pre-Election Answers to 22 Questions
After prodding the Government and Coalition for a response to our 22 questions and for the release of their Veteran policies we finally received them on the weekend 26/27 April:
- The Coalition’s response from its Campaign HQ:
- The ALP’s response from DVA Minister Keogh:
On the 28th April we released this media statement ADSO Calls for a Veterans Policy Pre-Election and a Response to its 22 Questions
At this time, we as a non-partisan body will make no detailed comment about each Party’s Policy other than to reiterate our need to receive their direct answers to our Questionnaire.
We are analysing and comparing their Veteran Policies and to identify any oblique reference to answering our 22 questions while recognising “One of the golden rules of politics is never answer the question you are asked, only the question you want to be asked”.
We will delay sending our detailed comments on both Party’s Policies until after the election result is announced when we will seek to meet with the appointed Ministers of Defence, Defence Personnel and DVA and then their Opposition Shadows.
For all our supporters the attached data files will inform you of the following facts in your electorate:
- Veterans Data Table by Federal Electorates by location (Source – ABS 2021 Census) by DVA clients (Source DVA) by AEC registered voters (Source – AEC) which identifies the potential influence in numbers that veterans and their supporters may have:
- Election Candidates (the sitting MP, ALP, Coalition, Greens, Hanson Parties) in the Marginal Electorates (less than 6 %):
Note our Defence Family’s size. It comprises current serving (Regular and Reserve Forces) and past serving veterans (581,139) and by including their dependant families, is estimated at about 800,000 people. Additionally, we estimate their voting influence extends to several million people through the support from their immediate families, their wider kin and Defence and veterans’ stakeholders, many of whom are located in marginal seats.
Even at this late stage before the Election, you may want to contact your local candidates to register your concern with their Party’s lack of or their delay in announcing their veteran policy. If you do make contact, please email ([email protected]) details of the action and result.
We look forward to your continuing support for veterans in whatever ways you can.
THANK YOU, FAMILY, FOR YOUR SUPPORT- ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL
Michael von Berg MC OAM
Chair
ADSO Ltd
