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WHO’S THE ENEMY?

On 3AW yesterday I interviewed the Minister for Veterans Affairs Danna Vale after talking to the widow of the SAS sergeant who was killed in Afghanistan nearly a year ago. And the fact hat she will get a pension of less than 14,000 dollars a year.

It prompted lots of calls and e-mails. One response was from a man who knows what he is talking about. A former SAS member with two tours of duty in Vietnam.

He is a West Australian named Red Webb. And he makes some strong points. the former Warrant Officer says:

As a former member of SAS and a two-tour Vietnam veteran, I have am part of a group which has been fighting for the past four years to gain some justice for injured and incapacitated SAS soldiers.

Mrs Vale, her predecessor Bruce Scott, and her Veterans' Affairs department, have been particularly lacking in their application to fix a number of shown anomalies relating to the care of these soldiers. They are seen to be prevaricating and uncaring.

Since the inception of the operational role in Counter-Terrorism undertaken by SAS soldiers in 1980, 26 have died and over 770 have been injured (35 severely) in this role. This has meant a casualty rate of approximately 33% ! And still Minister Vale denies that SAS service is hazardous.

Now, with the forward deployment of SAS soldiers to the Gulf region, a probability exists for the worsening of this situation.

It has been recognized that this deployment is for the purpose of acclimatization and integrated training, in operational techniques, with coalition forces. Most former SAS personnel agree with this move.

However, the huge and unseen problem with this is that these soldiers are now operating in what the government terms a 'non-warlike' environment. So, whilst for all intent and purpose they are representing Australia as operational soldiers abroad, THEY ARE NOT COVERED BY VETERANS' AFFAIRS IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OR DISABILITY.

I would strongly suggest that Minister Vale immediately declares this deployment to be recognized as Hazardous Service so that in the event of injury, disability or death, our SAS soldiers and their dependents have access to their rights under the Veteran's Entitlement Act.

Mrs Vale MUST ACT NOW in this matter... otherwise she is guilty again of ignoring the welfare of SAS soldiers.””

He is right. In the memory of Sgt Andrews who died in Afghanistan and the memory of the men that died in the Blackhawk disaster we can’t let this lie.

As I said yesterday: What on earth will the soldiers think who are heading off to the Gulf? You reckon they’ll be confident of a caring government looking after their wives and kids if something goes wrong? As John Elliott would say: Pig’s arse.

Friday, February 7, 2003

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2002