THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Thursday, 25 June 2009
008/2009
TACTICAL PAYMENTS SCHEME
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, has
welcomed the royal assent of the Defence Legislation Amendment Bill (No.1)
2009 that introduced a Tactical Payment Scheme.
“The Tactical Payment Scheme will provide a means for making no-liability
payments to people adversely affected by Australian Defence Force activities
abroad,” Mr Combet said.
“The ability to make timely and responsive payments to persons adversely
affected by Australian Defence Force activities is critical for maintaining local
community support and thereby ensuring the safety of our troops overseas.”
Mr Combet said that “although payments of this nature could be made by the
Government under the Act of Grace provisions in the Financial Management
and Accountability Act 1997, the administrative requirements in making such
payments made this scheme unsuitable for use in operational environments”.
The Tactical Payment Scheme will operate independently from the Act of
Grace provisions and be managed by Defence.
Like the Act of Grace provision, the Tactical Payment Scheme will be bound
by strict transparency, accountability and reporting procedures.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
