the bennymay story: chapter 79

Informed and Inactive.

Six months ago we wrote to the ADF, asking (again) for the findings and outcomes of the ADF’s investigations. The RAAF took only six months to answer (if you call it an “answer”).

So, what were the outcomes of Commanding Officer Alan Holtfreter’s investigations into my redress of Grievance?
Well, he didn’t finish his investigation. Instead, he palmed the job off to other guys (e.g. DPO & DHS).

So, what are the findings of DPO-AF Tony Needham’s investigation?
He didn’t conduct any investigation, either.

Well, what are the findings of DG-DHS Tony Austin’s investigation? …he said to my face that he was going to investigate.
He didn’t conduct any investigation, either.

Well, what are the findings of the investigation by the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF), formerly the Chief of the Air Force (CAF) Angus Houston? … he also said to my face that he was going to investigate. Surely you can trust his word. Can’t you?
He didn’t conduct any investigation, either.

So, after all the issues I’ve raised in the bennymay story, we now get to read the RAAF’s thoughts. Let’s read Ronny RAAF’s response:

After consideration

it was determined

that a specific inquiry

into this particular case

was not warranted.

Group Captain Andrew Elfverson, 07 May 2010

[Remember I discussed earlier how passive voice (e.g. 'it was determined') is used to hide the person who made the decision, and is typical of evasive and untrustworthy answers.]

So, why did it take the RAAF six months merely to say, ‘WE DID NOTHING’?

Did the RAAF say anything worthwhile?

The RAAF’s ‘answer’ to why Alan Holtfreter told me I would be imprisoned if I disclosed the preliminary investigation report just before I left the RAAF: ‘GPCAPT Holtfreter has confirmed that he was not aware that the obligations with respect to seeking Ministerial Consent before the release of a report did not apply…’

—– Original Message —–

From: Elfverson, Andrew GPCAPT
To: Michael Terceiro
Cc: Cotterell, John SQNLDR 1
Sent: Friday, May 07, 2010 4:44 PM
Subject: RE: Air Force Response regarding Mr Ben May of 7 May 10 [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

UNCLASSIFIED
Dear Mr Terceiro

With regard to the matters raised in your e-mail, I apologise for not addressing that particular issue. It is quite correct that the Department of Defence failed to notify Mr May in relation to outcomes of the recommendations that arose from the redress of grievance process. It would have been appropriate for the Department to seek to notify Mr May of those outcomes, particularly where recommendations had not been accepted or acted upon. Again, if Mr May believes that he has suffered detriment as a result of defective administration then that issue can be raised in his claim.

Yours sincerely

Andrew Elfverson
Group Captain Andrew Elfverson FAHRI
Director Coordination – Air Force (DCOORD-AF)

Office of the Chief of Air Force
Air Force Headquarters
Russell Offices (R1-6-C059)
CANBERRA ACT 2600

W: (02) 626 55482
M: 0411 280 937
Fax: (02) 626 55995
Email: andrew.elfverson@defence.gov.au

Elfverson also attributed some of the RAAF’s mismanagement to me. e.g. ‘Mr May’s case was also protracted by his determination to continue to seek employment as a pilot and not to avail himself of employment opportunities in other officer categories within the Air Force.’ I find this remarkable since I requested other employment opportunities in the RAAF but Air Force Headquarters repeatedly denied and refused such opportunities.

* * *

In other news, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) has turned over a new leaf. After refusing to investigate the evidence supporting my claim for rehabilitation for 7 years, DVA has finally decided to do so!

Last Thursday night (6 May 2010) I received this:

(from Ms Sandy Bell, National Manager, Rehabilitation and Compensation Group, Department of Veterans’ Affairs)

Go to chapter 80.

published May 2010. © Benjamin May 2010