Archived copy

Letters to Editor

To all concerned current & ex-servicemen and women,

The Aldgate RSL Sub Branch (SA) has just launched a website to put a
case against the six year clause of the recently announced ADM, you can
view it at: 

www.defencemedal.defenceinternet.com.au
     
Please view this webpage and if you agree with us there is no time to
waste, we need to get the message across to our politicians that the
criterion is wrong and that it needs to be changed now!

Let us know what you think!

Also, if you have any suggestions or feedback about the site, please do
not hesitate to email us.

Gary MacRae
President Aldgate RSL

Also received from the above correspondent, reproduced in full:

NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT

MEDIA RELEASE 18 August 2004

LEN KIELY MLA Member for Sanderson

CALL TO REVIEW ELIGIBILITY FOR AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL

The Member for Sanderson, Len Kiely, has vowed not to wear his Australian Service Medal until the Federal Government changes the eligibility conditions of the important award. Mr Kiely is one of 400 000 ex-personnel eligible for the medal after serving six years with the Australian Defence Force.
Mr Kiely says the set service timeframe fails to recognise the contributions of thousands of men and women.
“The notion that you have to do six years service before you are eligible for a Defence Service Medal is unjust and unfair to the many ex-service men and women who did not complete six years service but nevertheless served their country,” said Mr Kiely.
“I particularly recognise the large number of ex-servicemen and women we have the Northern Territory. I believe two or three years would be a much fairer timeframe.
“As the patron of the North Darwin RSL and a concerned Territorian and Australian citizen, I will not be wearing my Australia Defence Medal until the Federal Government changes the rules to make the system more equitable.”
Mr Kiely said more than 100 objections have already been placed on a national RSL website – www.defencemedal.defenceinternet.com.au

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