G'day Terry!

 

My name is Ron Francis and I regularly correspond with Barry Corse about Veteran issues. I read your letter and as I said to Bazza "you have just handed us a 150 mm Howitzer with a truck load of ammo". A Mate of mine is currently in the AAT in the Le Plasteur Case in Adelaide and the Deledio Case is being used as a precedent. The AGS Barrister representing Defence is currently facing contemp of court charges in this matter.

 

I am about to start proceedings against Defence on two fronts beginning with phone conferences on the 23rd & 24th of May to have boxes full of medical documents in archives released that FOI-Defence Legal refused to have released and they even archives to ignore two court summonses for their discovery. No one has ever been given their complete medical documents even if one has a letter from DVA or Defence saying so. An AGS Barrister has just admitted this before the Tribunal. The best part is that what I have stated about the summonses and refusal to supply is all in a Defence letter-head document. They have no intention of letting us have certain documents because they summed up their attitude by stating in this document "Now that it is before the Tribunal we must win at all costs". I can send you a copy of it if you wan't.

 

I request your permission to use certain information in your letter for the benefit of the cases before the AAT but you have my word that the letters will not be produced to the AAT or the other side nor will your name be mentioned. If there is anything we can help you with down here just ask.

 

In closing, for those up your way who receive Military Comp. Payments prior to 2001 have been ripped off since that date. My friend Arthur has just taken them into the AAT for the following reasons:

 

Prior to 2001 before the act was changed all increases were based on 75% what your discharge rank is worth in the forces as of today. In 2001 without telling anyone the Government changed the act so one only gets an increase based on the 75% received, not what your rank is worth today. It has just been established in the AAT in Adelaide that this is highly illegal and anyone in receipt prior to 2001 is still entitled have their increases based on the current full amount (Acts Transitional Act). Arthur is on the lowest rate and he stands to retrieve more than $10,000. As it stands now the AGS Barrister has agreed to the finding but, and I reckon you may have heard of this prick, Paul Ontong, told the Tribunal he will appeal. He was told best of luck and they gave him a week to do it. I am waiting to hear what has happened.

 

Regards

 

Ron Francis