Commando Magazine edition 3 2020

pists and social workers will be provided as part of DVA’s
new telehealth arrangements, where clinically appro -
priate. These services can still be covered by non-liability
health care arrangements where applicable. For more
information go to:
• https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/covid-19-veteran-mental-health-servicearrangements
COVID-19 – Actions Government has taken to
Support Healthcare
The Australian and State and Territory governments
have announced a number of significant measures to
bolster the health care system and ensure access to health
care for all Australians during the pandemic. For more
information go to:
• https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/covid-19-actions-government-has-takensupport-healthcare
Veteran Advocacy
Veterans who are considering lodging a claim for
compensation as a result of their service-related
conditions are encouraged to contact a competent
Compensation Advocate to assist you through the
process of Initial Primary Claim Lodgement, Review
and/or Appeals. Veterans and their families who are
seeking assistance with Well-being services that are
provided by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, State
Governments and Local Governments are also en -
couraged to contact a competent Well-being Advocate or
contact your State Association Secretary for further
informa tion on the state DVA advocate.
For both Compensation and Well-being matters, the
Advocacy Training and Development Program (ATDP)
provides information and access to competent
Advocates, via the ATDP Website.
• https://web.atdp.org.au/
The matter of Special Forces Disability Allowance
(SFDA) continues to confuse a number of Commando
Veterans. There has been inconsistency with a range of
decisions that have either allowed the continued payment
of the SFDA within the Incapacity Payments of the Military
Rehabilitation & Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), and in
some cases the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation
(Defence Related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA). If there are
concerns toward the SFDA component of any Incapacity
Payments received under MRCA or DRCA, please do not
hesitate in contacting me to seek assistance. Email:
aca_vetentitlements@commando.org.au
Medallic Recognition.
I continue to receive queries relating to the Australian
Service Medal 75- Clasp CT/SR (ASM CT/SR), particularly
by former ARA Members of 1 Commando Regiment. As
many readers will know, the ASM CT/SR was struck to
recognise ADF members who served in a Tactical Assault
Group (TAG), for up to 60 consecutive days, whilst being
on-call. The Medal is also awarded to Support Staff such
as Signallers and Intelligence Operators who served in a
given SOCCE. Members of 1 Cdo Regt (RHQ and 126 Sig
Sqn) have been recognised in a Review conducted by
SOCOMAUST (COL Donaghue), of which they provided
the Regimental SOCCE (RSOCCE) Staffing and other
Signals and Intelligence support for Domestic CT and
Special Recovery Operations (SRO) Duties during, for
what was for most, the entirety of their posting to the
Regt. The Report is known as the “Donaghue Report”,
dated 27 Aug 2014. Many former members of 1 Cdo
Regt may not be aware that they are eligible for the
Medal. It is encouraged that 1 Cdo Regt members who
were on-call for CT/SRO Duties apply to the Defence
Directorate of Honours & Awards (DH&A). The DH&A
Website link is:
• https://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/Content/Apply
OnlineInstructions.asp
Should there be a problem with the ASM CT/SR
Application, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
However, be sure to mention the Donaghue Report in
your initial application to point the Staff toward the
acceptance of the recognition. Also provide as much
information as possible such as SVA for CT Clothing
Allowance; and any other evidence that will support your
application.
22 COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 3 I 2020