Our Soldiers Deserve a Better Pay Outcome: Clive Palmer

Federal Member for Fairfax

Media release

Federal leader of the Palmer United Party and Member for Fairfax, Clive Palmer, has called on Tony Abbott to intervene in the Australian Defence Force pay dispute to ensure a better deal for uniformed personnel.

Mr Palmer said the proposed lower-than-inflation 1.5 percent annual pay rise for sailors, soldiers and air force personnel over the next three years was highly disrespectful to the men and women who made such enormous sacrifices for their country.

“This is an outrageous proposal and our defence members have every right to feel short-changed,’’ Mr Palmer said.

“Tony Abbott should intervene immediately to reject the current offer before the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal and consider a much better deal for our servicemen and women in line with 2.5% inflation or above,’’ he said.

“Telling the nation’s nearly 60,000 men and women in uniform that a miserly 1.5 percent pay rise is all that can be managed in the current budget climate is a joke considering the sacrifices they make.

“A three year proposal capped at just 4.5 percent is way short of the mark.

“A better deal for ADF personnel is well within the Abbott Government’s means and should be addressed by the Prime Minister as a matter of urgency,’’ Mr Palmer said.

ENDS