PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER'
FOR t4BDIA TUESDAY, 23-SPTMER, 19B0
coP EtsATL 0t FOR NBI03 or Tua DEpucs
FORCE RESERVES
The Cove rnment has decided to ay oertain' assurance premiums
for members of the Defence Force Reserves to overoome-conoern.,
that have been expressed over recent months about subof
oupnainpayable to -Reservists who suffer injuztY: whil*
an part time'service.
Reservists are covered under the Compensation ( Commonelth
Government Employees) Act. -Broadly.., the Act, provides-payme. t
olt the individual ts normal weekly, eaniis forte-fKfi
-26 weeks of inoapacpity., and then'weekly paentao. f : jp
for the colaivmant $ 27 50 -for'a depepdaint ispouse : and"$ 13.10-
for each ' dependant-child,. -There are. a~ lu aur aynt
for certain specified -di sabilities and for'death', and other
special payments.' Medical and hospital. expiense. -are -also
paid.
Assurance company schemies are available for Reserviatz . to euiable
them to receive additiional-accident benefits; after: the-first,
26 , weeks Incapacity., while Individuals are not obligedto6-;
participate, the assurance companies -require -0 to 100 pev. cent,
participation from a unit before its memwbers are eligible to'.
participate. Units have therefore been -encouraging XL
to -join the schemes.
in-the present strategic environment, the Government attaches*
considerable importance to the level of thd-Defence Fort*
Reserves. On 15 June I announced the Governmentt'decision -to*.
reduoe, froma five years to one, the time for achieving tba.
tar4et strength of 30,# 000.-Xndicatiobns -so -far are that-the
capiaign is having success and1 that the strength of the -Addserve
is increasing.
The Government has talken its decision : today in order to,.: ftrthe~ r
accelerate the'rate of recruitment and to increase. the'vete------
of retentioni in the Reserve.
Details, Including precise levels of payments,-will be-:
announced as soon as the necessary arrangements-are completed.
This will do away with the need for Individuals to-takei4
their own Insurance..