I received this information in an email from a friend who is a Australian Vietnam Vet.
This so fits in with what our Government has been doing to the brave men and women who follow the orders of that Government, no matter how senseless and self-seeking those orders may be.
Back in March I posted about four of John Howard’s lies, including the infamous “We’ll Look After Your Families!” lie.
This is an extension of this lie relating to just how caring this Government is about those who put their lives into danger to further their policies which are often not in this country’s best interests.
Anyway, this is about an old war and so it can’t possibly be important.
Can it?
To all members of the veteran community who have supported COVVHS (Children of Vietnam Veterans Health Study)
It is with great sadness, that I write this report.
When COVVHS was formed in 2003, we honestly believed we had a reasonable request. In 2004, we asked the government a simple question:
Is there a higher incidence of chronic health conditions in the sons and daughters of veterans than their peers? If so what can be done to help these young members of society. And what can be done to stop this continuing in the children of younger veterans?
The former Minister for Veteran Affairs, Mrs. Dana Vale instigated the feasibility study in 2004. Since that time, thousands of veterans and their children have informed COVVHS of their calamitous health problems and are waiting for some action.
An eminent panel of scientists, appointed by the government, has recommended that such a study was feasible and was worthy of doing. They reported to the Minister for Veteran Affairs, Bruce Billson in September 2006.Instead of following the recommendations the Minister took another line.
He formed another panel of experts to readdress the issue.
One he said would deliver quicker results!
If you read the Ministers speech to the 92nd State Congress of the RSL’s Victoria branch 4th July 2007. On page 6 he talks of the health issues and reasons surrounding his decisions. He puts a reasonable case. But is it really true?
The Minister chooses his words carefully and takes parts of the original scientists report, out of context. Had he accepted their recommendation we would be well along the way to knowing the health status of our children.
The minister talks of caring and compassion. He has not responded to any of us…other than one phone call to the COVVHS Chairperson to complain vigorously that we were clogging up his Fax machines!!
When we started this journey, I really believed that we lived in a true and just society. What a naive individual I was!! When governments can play with words to their own justification, what hope do we have?
When a Minister can sit in front of a group of women and agree to do something and then completely ignore that offer and not even have the courtesy to reply to them as to why he has reneged. (I refer to the meeting with members of the PVA in April, this year) We are being treated with utter contempt by the Government and Ministry for Veteran Affairs.
I can only hope the “pen is mightier than the sword” when the Election comes.
I can only hope the next government will have more understanding of what is right and follow through on issues that are ethically and morally correct.
What hope have we as a community when the government spends literally hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight one World War 2 widow who only wants a war widow’s pension??
To all of the veteran community whose hopes I have raised and once again we have been let down, I humbly apologise.
Early in this venture, I received an a-mail from someone who wished me luck, but said she doubted we would get anywhere as it has been tried in the past and failed. I would hate to think she proves to be right!
Our men, and now women, who are sent to fight for their wonderful Australia are still just “cannon fodder” and so are their families.
I make no apologies for any of this message. It just saddens me greatly that this government throws a pittance of dollars for projects to keep “the veterans” quiet and millions of dollars for “cold hard monuments”.
Surely something really productive could be done for the health of our warm breathing innocent children and their families.
I guess honest caring groups of people will continue to be overpowered by the “wordsmiths” of Parliament!
Sincerely
Sue Parker – National PVA children’s health spokesperson.
Archie Archive: Defeating John Howard and winning the election, one post at a time.
Filed under: Australia, Blogroll, History, lifestyle, news, Perth, reflective writings, Uncategorized, Western Australia Tagged: | John Howard, Sad
As one of the generation who’s friends went to Vietnam and who has seen the psychological damage done to our Vietnam Vets, I can only grieve with Sue Parker. This current Government seems totally devoid of any feeling for “people” but, as Sue states, will unthinkingly, unblinkingly spend millions of $$$’s on propaganda for the upcoming election. It’s your money and my money which is paying for “Blonde Barbara” to quote the word “law-ah” in her blatant political advertisements (which, as a Public Servant, she is FORBIDDEN to do!) and half a BILLION dollars to ensure that the Aboriginal people are again subdued to their “place in the world as 2nd Class citizens” by taking away their autonomy in the name of “rescuing the children”. Balderdash!
the department of vet affairs is seriously undermanned. I have contact with their answering machines on a weekly basis at the gimcrack, they appear to be struggling to keep their heads above water.
I don’t know what their budget is but not enough of it is going into staffing.
and don’t get me started on the office of the protective commission or the guardianship board. all these government departments need an overhaul so their clients can get what they need
Buff, there is so much that this Government has done. So much of it wrong! Later this year we will have the chance to begin claiming back our Australia.
Nursemyra, our children will look back on this era in Australian history with horrified wonder. I am beginning to wonder if John Howard is a descendant of Governor Bligh!
I sympathize, of course, but have to wonder that anybody ever had hopes of any better treatment from their (any) government. Certainly they are going to dump those who gave all for The Cause, the cause is over if it ever really began.
All any of us can do, all any of us has ever been able to do, is live our own lives with some semblance of honor and try not t o be overwhelmed by the dishonor all about.
Cybe -off the box now
I don’t know whether or not this is in the rules of the blogsphere, but I have to answer Cybe re his pessimism… you cannot ignore the dishonour about! You just cannot! That gives tacit support to the dishonourable and that is a no-no! Yes, I think we are all within our rights to insist that our Governments treat the people with more compassion and hope, and no, I do not think that just living our own lives is a permissable way to go! One must insist on change for the better at all levels, but especially at government level! If you do nothing then there is no hope whatsoever for anyone! Your own little bit of honour is great, but it must be passed on to others if it is to grow. Otherwise it will stunt and die. It must be made vocal … loud enough for all to hear!
And have you seen the new documentary called “American Media Blues”? Try and find it … it will show you what speaking out about dishonour can do and what ignoring that which is wrong and shameful can do!!!
Cybe, I can see where you are coming from, but surely there should be some effort to demand honesty in Government.
“In Germany, they first came for the gypsies, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a gypsy. Then they came for the Bolsheviks, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Bolshevik. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn’t speak up then because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up.” – Martin Niemoller, A Lutheran Pastor arrested by the Gestapo in 1937″
It is of interest to note the changes made to the above when it was inscribed on the Wall at the Holocaust Museum in Washington -”When they came for the gypsies, I did not speak, for I am not a gypsy. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak, because I wasn’t a Jew. When they came for the Catholics, I did not speak, for I am not a Catholic. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak.”
Buff, go ahead, this is the sort of wikiforum which allows us to express ourselves.
Let’s re-read my comments:
“…try not to be overwhelmed by the dishonor all about.”
Nothing there about ignoring it, I’d never do that. And I fully believe in tossing the bas..est polis out. I just don’t expect, and don’t think we can /ever/ expect, things on a big governmental level to get any better. Their (Its?) only real purpose is to grow, propagate and spread out and the only food they (It?) can use is the populace in whatever form it may take for whatever the current purpose.
I’m not a pessimist, I just recognize the most dangerous life form on the planet and the fact that it eats people.
Try not to be one it eats.
Cybe