Mr. C Pearce
MHR for Aston

24th of February 2004

Dear Mr. Pearce

Thank-you for your letter of the 16th of February 2004, which prompts my response, especially to that part of your correspondence which states that:

"If at any time you have any ideas, suggestions, or feedback for the Aston campaign, or would just like to have a chat regarding your thoughts, I would welcome the opportunity."

As you will no doubt be well aware, I am totally committed to gaining fairness and comparative treatment for veterans, especially former members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from all levels of government. As a former member of the RAN, I relate quite readily to the concerns felt amongst these people and their immediate families.

Examples of these concerns have been sent to you and your predecessor on many occasions, and, in the main, they have been attended to with alacrity. However, there are still several issues yet to be adequately addressed by you in the first instance, and by the Minister concerned thereafter.

You will no doubt remember the five petitions that I requested be placed before the House (which you promptly attended to, and for which I thank you). However, there has been no response to these concerns forthcoming by either the responsible Minister(s) or from their Department(s). These petitions were sent to you on the 09th of July 2002, mentioned in the House on the 26th of August 2002, and then it would appear, promptly forgotten. You may need to follow up further regarding these.

My letter of the 02nd of August 2003 also expressed some concern regarding the response given to you by the Department of Veterans' Affairs Director of Health Studies, Dr. Keith Horsley. If you remember correctly, he was requested by you to send a copy to you of his 'power point' presentation concerning the water contamination issue affecting many members of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), especially those that served aboard HMAS Sydney 1965-1972. His response to your request was to send a blank disk. I still have this blank disk in my possession should you require further evidence of this rather off-handed and arrogant response to your personal request on behalf of the 500-plus members of the above Association residing in Victoria. A cursory glance at vww.hmassydney.com will also verify the numbers of former RAN people that this issue concerns hailing from Victoria, and you will note that how a surprising number of them reside in the electorate of Aston.

Yes Mr. Pearce, I do have many concerns, and they unashamedly centre on former sailors, men who proudly served their country in its time of need and now through no fault of their own appear to be forgotten. I may also point out that the secretaries of the two local RSL sub-branches are members in good standing of the above Association, and their influence and support may be crucial to you in the months ahead.

Whilst I admire you for your purpose and endeavour, and the actions you have undertaken on behalf of your constituents and institutions within your electorate, your recent 'Progress Report' was bereft of anything which you had 'delivered' for veterans. It's probably because these people are a fairly proud lot that you only hear from them when they are rightfully indignant regarding the way they have been treated by remote bureaucracies, and by a Minister of dubious resolve. Now is one of those times. Also, the question must be asked, did you by chance join Joanna Gash, Bruce Billson and the eleven other government members in their protest regarding the recent 'Clarke Report'? If not, you certainly need to be seen to be doing something constructive, which directly affects veterans. The many issues mentioned above are in need of attention, and would be a good starting point. You may also wish to be seen as 'championing' the following.

In recent times, last week to be exact, on the 20th February 2004, two former members of the RAN were finally commemorated as casualties of war (the Malay Emergency of 1955-1960 to be precise), by having their names placed upon the 'Honour Roll' at the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Both these men died serving their country. however, due to the shortsighted policies of previous governments, these men were never recognised as having made the supreme sacrifice. Much the same is evident in two separate incidents, which took place during the Vietnam War (1965-1972).

The first of these incidences is related in the Commanding Officer's Report of Proceedings for HMAS Melbourne - April 1966, and reads thus:

At 1500H Thursday 28th of April during flying operations in the Sulu Sea, Venom WZ 900 crashed over the side after landing on in position 08° 12'. ON 118° 16' 8E, resulting in the presumed death of the observer, Lieutenant (X) (O) E G Kennel 1 RAN. A search of the area by HMAS Yarra was abandoned after 3 1/4 hours.

HMAS Melbourne was at that time escorting the troop transport HMAS Sydney, taking troops and equipment to the South Vietnamese port of Vung Tau. Both ships were allotted for this service. However, Kennell has never been recognised as a veteran of this conflict by having his name registered on the 'Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans', or by having his name remembered in perpetuity on the 'Honour Roll' at the AWM.

The second of these instances involves Lieutenant Commander K A Ferguson RANR, whose unfortunate demise occurred whilst in transit when serving aboard HMAS Sydney. This incident is reported by the Commanding Officer in his Report of Proceedings for December 1971 as follows:

At 1925GH on Monday 06th of December, Lieutenant Commander RLEX K A Ferguson RANR collapsed whilst attending a buffet dinner with the ship's officers on the quarterdeck and died of what subsequently proved to be a heart attack.  

HMAS Sydney entered the South Vietnam port of Vung Tau on the 08th of December to embark the troops of 4RAR and 104 Field Battery for return to Australia. In much the same manner as cited above, HMAS Sydney was allotted for this service. However, Ferguson has never been recognised as a veteran of this conflict by having his name registered as a veteran in the 'Nominal Roll of Vietnam Veterans', or by having his name remembered in perpetuity on the 'Honour Roll' at the AWM. 1 also fear that in both instances the families have been overlooked for any pensions or benefits that may have been rightfully theirs due to the deaths of the above named officers.

Hoping that you take onboard the comments and details as I have set out for you. I was able to convince your predecessor that I would not annoy him with unsubstantiated trivia, and that every issue directed to him would be accompanied by verifiable documentation. The same assurance applies to you regarding any correspondence I may send to you on my own behalf, or on behalf of the members of the above Association.

As a consequence of the invitation contained in your letter of the 16th, yes, I would welcome the opportunity to 'have a chat' regarding any or all of the above. I can make myself available at a mutually convenient time to allow this to occur.

Wishing you well for the future.

Regards

(Dr.) John R Carroll Ph.D MAPsS