The Spitfire Association apparantly only recently applied to the Veterans Affairs Minister for Government funding for the trip and was offered $5,000.
Quote:
The association's vice-president Ted Sly says the trip would not have been possible without the generosity of Australian businessman David Lowy, who paid for the group's business-class return flights.
"The Australian Government's generosity was five grand. I'm not going to get into a political fight, but I think it's a disgrace by the Minister for Veterans Affairs to neglect such an event," he said.
He says attending the service will be a great privilege.
"Well because I'm alive, I'm fortunate. It means that I can represent the ones that aren't here," he said.
$5k of taxpayers money was offered during a world wide economic crisis, an economy return ticket would cost between $2k and $2.5k AUD if booking a month out, allowing for two representatives to go, and represent all others, if business class return tickets are purchased, the cost would be $7k to $8k return? and $14k to $16k for two representatives.
However the above link and quote is mis-reporting the situation, as there are 11 plaques being dedicated to the 5 fighter and 6 bomber RAAF squadrons that served in Europe, so it is far wider than Spitfire pilots involved, and even if one veteran from each squadron was sent would require 11 return airfares or $22k expenditure for economy seats, and $77K for 11 business class return airfares.
I understand Mr Lowy funded seats for 12 representatives to attend, covering representatives from the Australian Kittyhawk, Sunderland, Mosquito, Beaufighter, balitmore, Wellington and Lancaster squadrons.
This event is occuring in two days time on March 26, so it would appear this request is being made at the last minute, and is suffering in part from that late notice, but also as pointed out, can set precedents for other servicemen to be funded for overseas trips to commemorative events, its not clear if a combined request was put forward, or only one from the Spitfire association -
The RSL and RAAF Association both have significant resources, and the RAAFA could have funded a representative from each affiliate squadron association if it was considered important for representative veterans to be present.
The Government and RAAF Air Attache is sure to represent the Australian public at this event, and I'm not sure the Government could explain the investment of $22k to $88k on economy or business class seats for 11 representatives, let alone any other costs such as accomodation?
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.htmlQuote:
WORLD War II RAAF heroes have been snubbed by the air force, the Government and Qantas as they battle to get to Britain for a commemoration.
The old airmen have been invited by the Royal Air Force to the dedication ceremony of 11 Australian squadron badges at the RAF Church, St Clement Danes on The Strand, near Australia House, on March 26.
The church's floor is covered with tiles featuring badges of all allied squadrons that served during World War II.
For many years there have been 11 blank spaces where the five RAAF fighter and six bomber squadron badges will soon take pride of place.
The veterans will be unable to witness the historic event because the Federal Government and Qantas, which has employed RAAF pilots throughout its history, have refused to help about 20 veterans.
The Veterans Affairs Department told Spitfire Association president Lysle Roberts that it would take a year to make a decision.
Qantas wrote to the ex-Spitfire pilot offering a terse thanks but no thanks.
And Mr Roberts, who enlisted with 457 Squadron as an 18-year-old in 1943, said the RAAF hierarchy had been as "weak as water" for not standing up for veterans.
"I am not surprised by this, I am bloody well shocked," the angry veteran said yesterday.
"They have money to take school kids to Gallipoli but can't help us at all."
Ninety-one-year-old Spitfire ace Ted Sly DFC, MID, was even more blunt, describing the lack of help as an "absolute disgrace".
"It is a slap in the face to the wonderful youth of Australia who paid the ultimate sacrifice," he said. A letter to Mr Roberts from the RAAF adviser at Australian House in London, Group Captain Pete Norford, says he would be "greatly honoured" to host members at this "very special event".
All the offer includes is a cup of tea, cucumber sandwiches and advice on where to find a cheap hotel room and a bargain breakfast.
Veterans Affairs Minister Alan Griffin said he had just received an application for funding for the event.
He said, historically, the Government had not funded such events.
It seems to me this request was left to the last minute, where as RAAFA could have sought a 50% subsidy from the government and part funded the remainder if it felt this required veterans attendance for the laying of the tiles, and planning had been undertaken, and in the same vein Qantas economy and standby seat allocations might have been able to be planned for and made available?
I'm pleased David Lowy has stepped in, but I think the story is a bit one sided, and I'm certainly not sure its a disgrace?
regards
Mark Pilkington
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