Annual State Congress AGENDA 2016

Transcription

1 THE RETURNED AND SERVICES LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA (NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH) Annual State Congress AGENDA 2016 To be held at Sydney Town Hall Starting at 9.00 am Tuesday 24 May 2016 Glenn Kolomeitz STATE SECRETARY

2 1 AGENDA ANNUAL STATE CONGRESS (A) 8.30am Assembly of official guests and delegates (Congress is requested to be seated by 8.45am) (B) 9.00am Wreath laying followed by the entry of the Official Party (C) Silence in memory of departed comrades (D) Pledge of Allegiance to the League (E) Official Opening of Congress and address by: His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor of New South Wales (F) State President s Report (G) Presentations: Meritorious Service Medal Certificate of Merit State President s Shield - Trophies (H) Opportunity for an address by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs (I) Address by RSL National President RADM Ken Doolan AO RAN (Retd) (J) Opportunity for an address by the Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs (K) The appointment of timekeeper and tellers (L) For notice - State Secretary, Returning Officer

3 2 (M) Appointment of Scrutineers (N) Appointment of Suspension Committee (O) Minutes of Annual State Congress 2015 to be confirmed. (P) Honorary State Treasurer s Report (Q) Annual Report 2015 (R) Financial Statements and Auditor s Report (S) Adoption of Reports (T) Adjournment for lunch (U) Resumption (V) DVA Forum (including DVA Motion) (W) Congress Session Times: Tuesday 9.00am 12.30pm and 2.00pm 3.30pm Wednesday 9.00am 12.30pm and 2.00pm close (X) Motions as listed in the agenda

4 3 CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONDUCT OF CONGRESS BY-LAW NO. 10 items 36 to 43 - CLAUSE 21.2, 24.1, 31.3 and 39 MEETINGS STATE CONGRESS 36. Standing Orders of State Congress (a) Wreath Laying Ceremony. (b) Pledges of Allegiance. (c) Addresses. (d) Awards and Presentations. (e) Confirmation of Minutes of previous Meeting. (f) Congress Appointments. (h) Reports. (i) Agenda. (j) Conclusion. State Congress Session Times 37. Each session of State Congress shall be structured to allow maximum time for the business of Congress and also allow an adequate break for lunch. Standing Orders 38. No suspension of Standing Orders shall be permitted unless matter is one of immediate urgency and of vital importance to RSL NSW. 39. Notwithstanding anything contained in this By-Law, no Suspension of Standing Orders shall be permitted in respect of any motion which is not submitted in accordance with the Constitution unless the same is of an urgent or of an emergency nature and has been signed by the President and Secretary of the sub-branch which has submitted such motion except where the matter arises from the meeting of State Congress in session. 40. At State Congress when Suspension of Standing Orders is required, the subject matter of the motion, in writing, shall be handed to the chairman, who will then hand same to Suspension Committee for recommendation. 41. If motion is recommended by Suspension Committee, it shall be read to Congress

5 4 and question of Suspension decided without debate. 42. If Suspension is permitted by State Congress, then the motion will be debated and voted upon in the normal manner. 43. No amendment shall be permitted to any resolution appearing on the Agenda for State Congress, amending, adding to or rescinding the Constitution or any part thereof. BY-LAW NO CLAUSE 21.2 STATE CONGRESS SUSPENSION COMMITTEE 1. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall be nominated and elected annually at the first working session of State Congress each year. 2. At least five State Councilors and/or State Congress Delegates shall be nominated and elected from persons in attendance at the State Congress. 3. The elected State Congress Suspension Committee shall nominate a Chairman from its members. 4. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall meet during State Congress as required to consider motions handed to the State Congress Chairman who shall hand same to State Congress Suspension Committee for recommendation. 5. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall only deal with motions submitted in accordance with the Constitution that are: (a) of an urgent or of an emergency nature. (b) of vital importance to the RSL NSW. (c) are fully justified matters arising from business at the State Congress in session. 6. All motions submitted to State Congress Suspension Committee shall be in writing on District Council or sub-branch official letterhead signed by the President and Secretary of the District Council or sub-branch submitting the motion with the exception of item 5 (c) above. 7. If a motion is submitted from the floor of State Congress and is approved by the State Congress Suspension Committee for debate, it shall be placed on the Agenda for discussion of State Congress. The said motion or motions shall be printed by facilities at the State Congress venue for distribution to the delegates present for perusal prior to a motion or motions being discussed. 8. Any District Council or sub-branch motion submitted to the State Congress

6 5 Suspension Committee and subsequently rejected by State Congress Suspension Committee shall be returned to originator of motion for submission (if still required) through the sub-branch and/or District Council and NOT referred direct to State Council. 9. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall be empowered to reword or rephrase all motions submitted to State Congress Suspension Committee for recommendation to State Congress. 10. The State Congress Suspension Committee may seek further verbal explanation from originators of motions submitted for consideration of State Congress Suspension Committee. 11. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall be empowered to consider a motion of extreme urgency, arising from business of the State Congress in session, seeking change or amendment to the Constitution and make recommendation to State Congress. 12. The Chairman of the State Congress Suspension Committee may be called upon by the Chairman of State Congress to give reasons for State Congress Suspension Committee recommendation to State Congress. 13. The State Congress Suspension Committee shall not be required to give reasons at State Congress to originators for rejection of any submission to State Congress Suspension Committee. 14. State Congress Suspension Committee recommendations accepted by State Congress shall be included in State Congress Minutes and referenced with other resolution/s of similar content or intention. BY-LAW NO CLAUSE 21.2 STATE CONGRESS AGENDA COMMITTEE 1. The State Congress Agenda Committee shall be appointed annually by State Council, normally at its June Meeting. 2. Branch Legal Advisor and State Secretary may attend to offer Legal and Constitutional advice. 3. At least four (4) State Councillors will be elected as State Congress Agenda Committee. 4. The State Congress Agenda Committee will nominate a Chairman from its members. 5. RSL NSW staff support shall be available as required. 6. The State Congress Agenda Committee shall meet to consider agenda items from

7 6 State Council, District Councils and sub-branches in the last week of September and the first week of March each year. 7. The State Congress Agenda Committee shall be empowered to re-word or re-phrase ANY motion/s submitted for inclusion in future State Congress Agenda. Any re-wording or re-phrasing shall not alter the original intention of the motion. 8. Motions deemed to being ruled out of order or irrelevant to the RSL NSW shall not be approved by State Congress Agenda Committee for inclusion in the State Congress Agenda. 9. Such items or motions mentioned in (7) above, shall be returned to the originators with explanation. 10. Motions submitted by sub-branches, District Councils or State Council for the State Congress Agenda without supporting details and argument shall not be approved by the State Congress Agenda Committee for inclusion in the State Congress Agenda. 11. That the supporting argument of a motion for State Congress be included in the Agenda and the State Congress Agenda Committee summarise the supporting argument so as not to exceed a half of A4 size page. 12. Resolutions from RSL National Congress and RSL National Executive amending the National Constitution and requiring the Constitution to be amended and subsequently adopted by State Council shall be included in the State Congress Agenda for confirmation of State Congress. 13. State Congress Agenda motions referred to in above shall be grouped in Constitution Section of State Congress Agenda, with special comment if required, and showing State Council as sponsor of motion. 14. Motions submitted for State Congress Agenda and which are covered by RSL National Standing Policy or RSL NSW Standing Policies, shall be set aside in a special section of State Congress Agenda and noted with applicable Standing Policy reference number. 15. Such motions as referred to in above shall only require confirmation of State Congress Delegates in attendance. 16. Any motion submitted to the State Congress Agenda Committee with the exception of 11.7 mentioned above may be referred to State Council for necessary action if the State Congress Agenda Committee considers such action appropriate. 17. Motions of similar content or intention shall be grouped into one common motion under names of originator. 18. All motions listed in the State Congress Agenda shall show the name of originating

8 7 sub-branch and District Council. 19. In the case of sub-branch motions not endorsed by District Council, the motion shall be noted 'UNENDORSED' following the originating sub-branch name, with Congress to decide whether to hear the motion or not. 20. Only motions originating from sub-branches, District Councils and State Council shall be included in the State Congress Agenda. 21. Matters seeking opinion of State Congress, where possible shall be circulated to sub-branches or published in Reveille prior to State Congress with full details and requirements. 22. The closing date for receipt of motions from any source for consideration of the State Congress Agenda Committee shall be the first day immediately following the conclusion of the February State Council Meeting. 23. The official printed Agenda for each Annual State Congress shall list and group motions and other detail as required in the following order of business:- (a) Index (b) Congressional Election Details (c) Rules and Procedures of Debate (d) Motions covered by Standing Policies (in same section order as motions for debate). (e) Motions for debate shall be in one of the following Agenda sections:- (i) Constitution (ii) RSL National Constitution (iii) Veterans Affairs Matters (iv) Social Security and Tax (v) Defence Service Homes (vi) RSL NSW (vii) ANZAC, Commemoration, Ceremonial and Memorials (viii) Defence and Foreign Affairs (ix) Security (x) Population (xi) Education (xii) Australian Youth (xiii) Aged Care in the Veteran Community (xiv) General Standing Policy on Various Matters The above Agenda Order of Business may be altered from time to time when

9 8 matters of an urgent nature are required to be dealt with earlier than that listed in (e) above but shall be the exception rather than the rule. 24. The official printed State Congress Agenda shall be distributed to sub-branches at least six (6) weeks prior to the holding of State Congress. *** IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES *** This Congress will be conducted in accordance with the Constitution, By-laws and Regulations of The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch), and in particular By-law 10. All Delegates on addressing the Congress shall announce their name and the name of the sub-branch or District Council, for which they are a Delegate. The recognised Delegates at this Congress are in accordance with sub-clause 21.7 and consist of State Council and one Delegate representing participating sub-branches and District Councils. Delegates must display their voting paddle when addressing Congress. The Alternate Delegate will only be permitted to speak if the Delegate is not in attendance. No Delegate will be permitted to speak more than once on a motion before the Chair. No Delegate who has moved or seconded or spoken to the main motion shall be permitted to move That the motion be put. No amendment shall be permitted to any motion on the agenda, which seeks to amend the Constitution. All Constitutional Motions require a two-thirds majority. Questions will only be permitted concerning motions on the Agenda. This Congress will elect a Suspension Committee which will conduct its activities in accordance with By-law 13. When nominations are called for the appointment of Timekeeper and Tellers, Scrutineers, or Suspension Committee, members are requested to only be appointed to one committee.

10 ANNUAL STATE CONGRESS MOTIONS STANDING MOTION 1. State Council Membership fees That in accordance with RSL NSW Constitution Clause 16.7 & By-Law No. 2 item 43 the annual subscription for 2017 be $35.00 and that the breakdown for the annual subscription be as follows: Capitation fees to RSL NSW be $22.00 Capitation fee to RSL National be $5.00 and the retention fee to RSL sub-branch be $8.00. Supporting argument Under the RSL NSW Constitution and By-Laws adopted at the 2011Annual State Congress it is a requirement that Congress determine the Annual Subscription for each year. (i) CONSTITUTION 2. State Council Amend sub-clause 15.4 "That existing sub-clause 15.4 (a) be amended to include after the word 'Secretary' the words 'of a sub-branch' to read: A State Councillor will automatically be deemed to have vacated office if they: (a) take a position of profit within RSL NSW other than as a paid Secretary of a sub Branch;" The purpose of this motion is to provide clarification of the intent of this sub-clause in the Constitution and it will now mirror the previous Constitution sub-clause 31.14(i).

11 10 3. State Council Amend sub-clause 26.1 "That existing sub-clause26.1 (i) & 26.1 (j) be amended and reformatted as sub-clause 26.1 (h) (i) and (ii) to read:-. (h) move any motion formulated in accordance with this clause at State Congress, provided that: (i) District Council may only hear and resolve on matters affecting a sub-branch within its District upon a written request signed by the sub-branch President and sub-branch Secretary; and (ii) any motion of District Council must be raised at State Congress for ratification and further action." The purpose of this motion is to correct a formatting error in the Constitution. It is clear that sub Clause 26.1 (h) has two parts with the inclusion of the word "and" at the end of (i) and therefore the correct numbering for the second part is "(ii)". 4. State Council Amend sub-clause 44. Definitions "That the following definitions in sub-clause 44 be added in alphabetical order.- "District Council Executive" means the District Council President, one or two District Council Vice Presidents, and either a District Council Secretary, a District Council Secretary (who is also appointed as District Council Treasurer) or a District Council Secretary and a District Council Treasurer. "District Council President" means the president of District Council of sub-branches of each District, elected in accordance with this Constitution. "Sub-Branch President" means the Service or Life Member of RSLNSW elected as sub Branch President in accordance with this Constitution." "District Council Executive"

12 11 sub-clause 25.2 of the Constitution refers to "District Council Executive". There is no definition of what constitutes a District Council Executive in the Constitution and this amendment rectifies the omission. "District Council President" The convention in the Constitution is where a word or words begin with a capital letter that word or words is defined in the definition provisions. This amendment rectifies the omission. "sub-branch President" The convention in the Constitution is where a word or words begin with a capital letter that word or words is defined in the definition provisions. This amendment rectifies the omission. 5. State Council Amend sub-clause 45.2 (c) "That existing sub-clause 45.2 (c) be deleted in its entirety and insert new sub-clause 45.2 (c) which reads: (c) An Officer means:- (i). A Trustee, President, Vice President(s), Treasurer or Secretary of a sub-branch or Subsidiary as the case may be; (ii).state Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of RSL NSW." The existing sub-clause 45.2(c) reads as follows:- "An Officer means a President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary of RSL NSW, a District Council, a sub-branch or Subsidiary as the case may be." The effect of the amendment is to separate the definition into two parts. Part (i) relating to a sub Branch or subsidiary and Part (ii) RSL NSW. And in Part (i), a Trustee has been added. This addition brings the definition of an Officer in line with the Responsible Person under the ACNC Legislation.

13 12 6. State Council State Council Term of Office That the Constitution of the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) be amended as follows: 1. Amend 15.1 to delete the words ( State Councillors ) 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons elected in accordance with this Constitution: (a) State President; (b) State Treasurer; (c) 6 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including the Vice President (Metropolitan) (d) 3 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and (e) 3 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW). 2. Amend 15.2 to read; 15.2 Each member of State Council will, subject to this Constitution, be elected to State Council for a full congressional term of 3 years. 3. Insert new No State Councillor may serve as a representative of Metropolitan District, Southern New South Wales District and/or Northern New South Wales District for more than 3 consecutive full congressional terms. 4. Renumber new clause 15.4 to Insert new definition in clause 44 Definitions Full Congressional Term is the 3 year period served by State Council between Congressional Elections. 6. Amend clause 44. Definitions State Councillor means the Service Member or Life Member elected to State Council of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. The effect of new Clause 15.3 in this motion is to limit the term of a State Councillor to three terms of three years. This ensures that new members will be elected to State Council when State Councillors terms expire. The remainder of the amendments are to correctly state the composition of State Council and amend some definitions. To implement this limit to State Councillors term of office, By-Law 6 will be rewritten to stagger the election year of State Councillors so that one third are elected each year, thus

14 13 ensuring that there is not a loss of the corporate knowledge of the State Council in nine years time. 7. State Council State Council Structure That sub-clauses within Clause 15 (State Council) of the Constitution which currently reads: 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons ( State Councillors ) elected in accordance with this Constitution: a) State President; b) State Treasurer; c) 6 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including a Vice President (Metropolitan); d) 3 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District, including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and e) 3 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW) A) 15.2 Each State Councillor will, subject to this Constitution, hold the office of State Councillor for a term of 3 years. that they be amended to read: 15.1 State Council consists of the following persons ( State Councillors ) elected in accordance with this Constitution: a) State President; b) State Treasurer; c) 4 representatives from the Metropolitan District, including a Vice President (Metropolitan); d) 2 representatives from the Southern New South Wales District, including the Vice President (Southern NSW); and e) 2 representatives from the Northern New South Wales District including the Vice President (Northern NSW) B) 15.2 Each State Councillor will, subject to this Constitution, hold the office of State Councillor for a term of 3 years and retire in rotation in accordance with the By-Laws. The remaining sub-clauses 15.3 to 15.7 remain unchanged. In 2008 when a 14 member State Council was approved there were 55,000 members in New South Wales. There are currently 38,000 members and reducing, and it is difficult to justify the requirement of retaining 14 State Councillors. It is therefore recommended that the State Council be reduced by 4

15 14 members to a Council of 10 members. It is proposed to reduce the Metropolitan District by 2 Councillors, Northern Country by 1 Councillor and Southern Country by 1 Councillor. We must be a proactive organisation to enable RSL NSW to deliver sound governance standards into the future. For the RSL to remain relevant in the face of reducing membership numbers, we must maintain an ongoing review in the way we conduct and govern our business. We must protect our asset base in order to generate the required income to provide the services to our membership, and support the aims and objects of the organisation. It is recommended that the election process will take place each year over the three year congressional term commencing at the 2017 Congress. Councillors will complete their three year terms in rotation, with at least one third of the Council facing election each year. This will ensure continuity of skills and experience on the Council. The mechanics of the transition will be covered in By-Law State Council Amendment to Clause 44. Definitions That in clause 44 (Definitions) of the Constitution, the following definitions currently read: Congressional Election means the election of the State Council held every 3 years. State Council means the governing body of RSL NSW. State Councillor means the Service Member or Life Member elected as the state councillor or director of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. That they be amended to read: Congressional Election means the election of the State Council for a 3 year term and subject to at least one third of the Council retiring by rotation each year. State Council or Board means the governing body of RSL NSW. State Councillor or Director means the Service Member or Life Member elected as the state councillor or director of RSL NSW in accordance with this Constitution. To ensure continuity of knowledge and skills it is recommended that at least one third of State Council retire each year by rotation with Councillors serving a three year Congressional term. Each year there will be an election held to fill positions of State Council members who have completed their three year term in office. Outgoing Councillors must renominate and go to an election with aspiring nominees for the vacated positions. The State Council will be also known as the Board to bring the title in line with other major corporate entities, RSL Qld, WA, SA and the proposed RSL National Constitutional amendments. A State Councillor will also be known as a Director, to reflect the Board position and the appropriate legislative responsibilities.

16 15 (ii) RSL NATIONAL CONSTITUTION (iii) VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 9. Monaro & Far South Coast Hearing Disability That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) request The Returned and Services League of Australia make representation to the Federal Government that Veterans with an accepted hearing disability be provided with hearing devices that meet society s current and future contemporary standards. Currently holders of DVA Gold or DVA White cards which were issued for conditions that include hearing loss are provided with a hearing device from the Australian Government Department of Health Office of Hearing Services. The free level of devices covers a hearing loss for situations in the home, private conversation or watching TV. They do not help in situations like a meeting or socialising in a venue such as a restaurant, club or shopping mall where there is a significant level of background noise. To cover these situations a Veteran needs a "top up" device which is not provided by DVA. Higher capacity devices can cost the Veteran many thousands of dollars both for the device and then the ongoing contribution to the maintenance schedule of that top up device. It seems as if the original rationale for the issue of hearing devices has failed to keep abreast of contemporary social expectations. These have expanded over time. When initially introduced, the policy of providing hearing devices might have been developed recognising a lifestyle where a Veteran might have been content to live a relatively quiet life as was the community norm. Today s community norm is much different and constantly changing. As part of contemporary community Veterans are involved in gatherings where noise is louder and more complex. Be it in a Restaurant, Meeting, Club environment or Mall shopping the levels of background noise are much different to those catered for by the existing DVA funded hearing devices. The majority of Veterans that have an accepted hearing loss are suffering a noise induced hearing loss and require aids that will assist them in areas with background noise if they are to continue to

17 16 contribute to society. The current supplied hearing aids do not provide an adequate level of assistance. The inability to socialise and mix with people causes a Veteran to become withdrawn and isolated and in some circumstances could lead to bouts of depression. Hearing loss is a very difficult disability to manage without the assistance of aids that meet individual needs. Lifestyle need is defined as covering the situations that the individual is involved in as the individual continues to contribute to society. 10. North Coast Appointment of Minister That RSL National lobby the Federal Government to appoint a Minister for Veterans Affairs, with Veterans Affairs as his/her only portfolio and sole area of responsibility. Successive governments have always promised veterans a "stand alone" Department of Veterans' Affairs with its own minister. At the time of submitting this motion, our Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon. Stuart Robert, holds two other portfolios as well, namely Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Commemoration of Anzac. The Department of Human Services involves a huge workload on its own, and no matter how competent any Minister is, we don't believe he/she is capable of effectively overseeing the work of three portfolios, one of which is the Department of Veterans' Affairs. What is the future of the Department of Veterans' Affairs? Is it to be absorbed into the Department of Human Services and is this just another step in its dismantling? We need to do everything in our power to maintain a stand-alone government department for veterans and their families, with a minister dedicated to serving that veteran community, without the distractions of other responsibilities. 11. Central Southern (Bomaderry) Gold Card That all ex-service personnel who have served a minimum of 20 years Defence service should be awarded the privilege of being granted a GOLD CARD once they reach the age of 60 years. Ex-Service personnel are subjected to many disadvantages during their service careers, including physical and mental harm which follows them into their ex-service lives, and irrespective of deemed service for the award of veterans' affairs services and concessions. The modern-day ex-service

18 17 personnel tend to be younger than in past years, and will have been subjected to many incidents of personal damage, injury, physical incapacity and mental harm during their service, but are not always compensated for this on return to civilian life. Many are also leaving their service lives after 20 years without having served in operational qualifying service, and become disadvantaged in seeking treatment for such harms as can be attributed to their service to their country. Under the present superannuation schemes they are also usually too young to gain access to their retirement benefits from these schemes and are often not able to gain beneficial civilian employment, nor afford expensive on-going treatment(s) for their disadvantaged physical or mental conditions, and without Gold-Card benefits either have to forego treatment, or become financially embarrassed and do without to their detriment. In the interest of all ex-service personnel who have served their country for at least 20 years consideration should be given to awarding them with a Gold Card in recognition of that service. 12. New England Gold Card for WWII Veterans That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) request RSL National to lobby the Federal Government to award the Gold Card to all remaining WWII Veterans who served or who were prepared to serve their country at the time of war. It has been several decades since the cessation of WWll and the remaining Veterans who served either in Australia or overseas are few. However those remaining few who are not receiving a Gold Card are, in most cases, in need of support and to award the Gold Card to these veterans would assist them greatly and would not be an impost on the Federal Government's annual fiscal allocations. 13. Newcastle (Toronto) Department of Veterans Affairs copy correspondence That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) approach the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to attempt to achieve a system that Veteran s Representatives are kept informed by a CC copy of all correspondence after the Delegate has accepted liability for a claimed condition under Military Repatriation and Compensation Act (MRCA).

19 18 Currently once the Delegate accepts liability under MRCA the file then progresses to the requirements of the Veteran. That is his/her ''Needs Assessment, Incapacity Payments and Rehabilitation". At this point the Veteran's Representative is currently removed from the file and correspondence copies to representatives cease. A CC copy would enable the representative to remain in contact with the process and properly advise and assist the veteran, keeping the claim process moving in a timely manner and removing some of the confusion to the veteran. (iv) SOCIAL SECURITY AND TAX (v) DEFENCE SERVICE HOMES (vi) RSL NSW 14. Lower North Coast (Wingham) Proposed Structural Change to State Branch That the RSL (NSW Branch) have the Constitution suitably amended to state the following: 1. That 2 or 3 district councils be clustered together to form an area; 2. That there be 8 areas within the State; 3. That each area shall elect from within that area a director to the board of management of the RSL (NSW Branch); 4. That the person to be elected shall reside within the boundaries of those district councils forming that area; 5. That the person elected to that position shall liaise with each district council through the district council president. He shall attend district council meetings within his area; 6. That each district council shall meet no less that twice (2) a year; 7. The cluster of district councils to form an area would be: Area 1 Far North Coast, Mid North Coast, New England Area 2 Lower North Coast, Hunter, Newcastle Area 3 Upper North Western, Lower North Western, Western Area 4 Riverina, Far South Western, South Western

20 19 Area 5 Eden Monaro, Central Southern Area 6 Far South Western Metropolitan, Far Western Metropolitan, Blue Mountains Area 7 Eastern Metropolitan, Southern Metropolitan, Western Metropolitan Area 8 Central Coast, Northern Beaches, Northern Metropolitan. At the 2014 Annual State Congress Motion 11, which was to review the organisational structure of the RSL and a review panel be setup to look at structural changes was carried. To date there has been little published in Reveille and only 1 or 2 circulars on the review findings. However there has been a lot said about the review panel's findings. It appears to me that no one is prepared to stand up and make a statement of how the New South Wales Branch should be managed. The above motion should be implemented so the NSW Branch can be managed to let the grass roots members retain their rights and allow the flow of information to and from sub-branches to State Branch in a cost efficient manner - far more efficient than the present system. District Councils have been in operation in excess of 60 years and have been successful. In our years in the League we have yet to meet any member who has said that District Councils boundaries should be changed. District Councils have their place within the League, as they were set up to approve motions for State Congress. Prior to District Councils being formed, it has been recorded that there has been in excess of 300 motions at Annual State Congress (359 is the highest we know of). We are of the opinion that nobody wishes to see that many motions at Congress. District Council Presidents have an important role to play as they are the mediators between their representative on the management board and the sub-branches. The cluster system set out in the motion gives the board members smaller area and less travelling than the present system. Travelling costs will be less than the present system used by the State Councillors because there would be 8 board members only and not 12. One must live within an area to understand the feelings of those members living within that area. It is of no use a board member living on the north coast and trying to understand the feelings of a member living in Parkes and vice versa. A drought at Parkes is very different from a drought on the north coast. A flood on the north coast is very different from a flood at Parkes. A study carried out in the early 1980's showed that any sub-branch that had over 100 members would be able to retain a charter as there were sufficient post-wwii veterans to carry on. Today it is the same as post-vietnam veterans are moving to those towns and areas where the sub-branches had over the 100 members category. We note that in metropolitan areas there will be changes as different groups and cultures are moving into some areas. This system proposed has never been used before and we feel that it would be

21 20 successful. All the other proposals that have been bandied around, together with those in Circular 44/15, have been tried previously and failed. 15. Far North Coast Candidates for State Council Positions That candidates for State Council positions have greater access to providing their information which could include a video or any of the more modern communication methods to sub-branches prior to voting. Unless they are local most rural members have no idea who the nominees are and only hear about the vote when attending the monthly meeting, where the poll is held. Most of the older members have hearing problems and cannot concentrate for long periods when the secretary is reading the CV's and therefore just tick the boxes without knowing who they are voting for. If the information was on the RSL NSW website, logged in sub-branches could then project it on a screen. 16. Far North Coast State Council Actions That upon consideration of a motion submitted by a sub-branch or District Council, which seeks to bring about a change in RSL NSW policy or procedure, State Council will: a) record the entire motion and supporting argument in the Minutes of State Council Meetings and; b) record the decision and, if rejected, the reasons for rejection in the State Council Minutes and; c) communicate the results in writing to the originating sub-branch or District Council. Motions submitted are required to be accompanied by a supporting statement which would justify the acceptance of the motion. When a motion is rejected, it must be rejected for a specific and justifiable reason. Such reason would indicate that the supporting argument is, in some way, invalid, illegal or unconstitutional. The rejection must be justified and transparent. Where a motion seeks to have an issue adopted as RSL policy, the rejection rationale must indicate why this would not be possible. Without such transparency, decisions of State Council cannot be respected.

22 Central Southern (Austinmer Thirroul) Woolworths Contract That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) make strong representations to RSL National not to renew the contract with Woolworths and other retail chains, which allows them to sell official RSL memorabilia. Many smaller RSL sub- Branches rely almost entirely on the proceeds from the sale of RSL memorabilia on the days leading up to ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day for their survival. The contract with several large retail chains was entered into without any prior consultation and is potentially damaging to the finances of the smaller sub-branches and places them in direct competition with these large retail outlets. In effect the RSL is competing against its own members and it is contented that this is inappropriate. 18. Central Southern (Austinmer Thirroul) Amend By-Law number 6, sub-clause 15-3 Paragraph 15 That By-Law number 6, sub-clause 15-3 Paragraph 15 Line 1 Voting for State Council of the NSW RSL By-Laws be amended as follows: Delete at least four weeks and insert at least eight weeks. Sub-Branches meet monthly and in the event that the advice of the candidates for State Branch elections is received just after a meeting, which has occurred in the past, there can be insufficient time for the sub-branches to properly consider the candidates and submit their votes. In order for a proper process to be followed by sub-branches, eight weeks notice of elections for State Council should be provided. 19. State Council Administration Fee That commencing on the 1 st January 2017 an annual Administration Fee of 5% is to be payable by sub-branches, calculated on the annual investment income in excess of $2,000, received the previous financial year, and paid to State Branch with the sub-branch annual returns.

23 22 The Administration Fee will be a contribution to be made by all sub Branches with investment income in excess of $2,000 per annum. Investment income includes, interest, dividends and rental income. Income other than that derived from investments will be excluded from the calculation. Accordingly, those sub Branches with sizeable assets and the resultant income will contribute the larger portion of the fee received by State Branch. The fee is projected to raise in the vicinity of $800k per annum, and will include the funding of the current Support and Assistance Fund. It is to be treated as an expense item and is to be paid in addition to capitation fees. Sub Branch donations are to continue in accordance with the existing donation policy. The capitation fees available to the State is budgeted to be in the vicinity of $700k per annum. This is far short of the current expense budget for which is in excess of $4m. In the past this has been subsidised by donations to the General Fund and management fees from other entities. Profits from the Hyde Park Inn have been instrumental in turning a deficit position into surplus for many years. In effect we have been operating on a deficit operating budget which requires action to be taken in the medium term to correct the imbalance. Since 2012 the legislative compliance requirements for Charities has increased substantially. The implementation of the reporting requirements and the monitoring to ensure compliance has come at a cost. The cost of administering 360 sub Branches and oversight of other entities, the cost of defending actions to protect sub Branch property assets have been major factors in expenses increasing from $3.341m in 2010 to $4.2m in This has occurred despite the reducing membership base. The RSL in NSW must remain relevant into the future despite the challenges of reducing membership. The ongoing strength of the organisation will be its asset base and income stream which will provide the necessary funding to continue the provision of programs and services for the benefit of all members. (vii) ANZAC, COMMEMORATION, CEREMONIAL AND MEMORIALS 20. Lower North Coast (Port Macquarie) September 11 commemoration That The Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) recommend to RSL National that September 11 each year be prescribed to commemorate the service of all those men and women who served their country in all conflicts from and including the First Gulf War.

24 23 1. Prior to presenting the supporting argument I would like to call on Jason Gill, a veteran of East Timor, Iraq Solomon Islands and Afghanistan, to present his account and to explain his rationale for this motion. 2. We already have in place a Commemorative Day for the Vietnam Veterans and a similar Day for these veterans we feel would be in order. 3. September 11 seems a logical date to be set as it is remembered as the time terrorism stunned the world. 4. The younger veterans are now starting to join the RSLs around the country and we need them as members. 21. North Coast (Maclean) Sydney ANZAC Day March That the North Coast District Council requests State Council to endeavor that the re-routing of the 2016 Sydney ANZAC Day March is a change to the route that will revert to the time honoured original route at the duration of the work to George Street, Sydney i.e. Martin Place past our Cenotaph and left up George Street and onwards past Sydney Town Hall. In 1934 the march travelled down George Street for the very first time, the route that will be used in 2016 does not pass by the Cenotaph and thus a piece of history will be gone forever. Tradition should not be thrown away without a compelling reason to do so. 22. State Council Memorial to The Desert Mounted Corps That Congress requests the RSL National Executive to seek Federal Government assurance, that the memorial to The Desert Mounted Corps at the mouth of the Dog River or Nahr el Kelb, near Beirut, is confirmed as being of Australian military historical significance and to determine its current status with the view to conservation and restoration leading to the centenary in In October 1918, Lieutenant General Sir Henry George (Harry) Chauvel caused an inscription to be cut into the cliff-face at the mouth of the Dog River near Beirut, in accordance with the ancient

25 24 precedent in the same place, where earlier conquerors from Rameses II and Alexander, to Napoleon, had also recorded their victories in the same cliff-face. The Dog River inscription ultimately determined by Chauvel read, "The Desert Mounted Corps composed of British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian Cavalry with a French Regiment of Chasseurs D'Afrique and the Arab Forces of King Hussein captured Damascus, Homs and Aleppo. October 1918". Conservation of this significant memorial will ensure that the service of the Australian Light Horse Regiments is recognised for future generations of Australians. 23. State Council Conservation of the Fig Tree feature at Tobruk, Libya That Congress requests the RSL National Executive to seek Federal Government assurance, that the precinct known as The Fig Tree feature at Tobruk, Libya, is confirmed as being of Australian military historical significance and to determine its current status with the view to conservation and restoration of the plaque and signage, in due course, with this year being the 75th anniversary of the Siege of Tobruk. The Fig Tree precinct at Tobruk was a much fought over position and later an Australian casualty clearing station, mostly underground within a cave like structure dominated by the large Fig Tree. This feature also became known during the campaign as "The Lone Pine" of Tobruk. In recent years the Fig Tree and a small interpretive plaque installed post war has survived, as has the ground map of the continent of Australia constructed of stones by servicemen. The underground medical aid area where many casualties were treated, is mostly accessible with some earth fill now blocking further access. Local villagers have maintained the intent of this precinct where possible. Conservation of this significant military precinct is of importance to future generations of Australians (viii) DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS 24. Hunter Valley Army Chaplains Department Badge That this Congress directs RSL National to lobby the Federal Government against changing the Army Chaplains Department badge.

26 25 1. The Army chaplains badge design, for Christian faith chaplains dates from It features a stylised Maltese cross, a half wattle and half laurel with the motto "in this sign conquer". This motto came from the British army chaplain insignia. The words apparently originated in the fourth century Roman Empire. 2. The department also has a second badge specifically designed for Jewish faith chaplains. 3. The Australian Army Chaplains Department has served the Nation as an organised body, with distinction, for 102 years. There were chaplains at Gallipoli and with our soldiers and every conflict since. The chaplain's unique and enduring role has been religious ministry, encompassing the conduct of worship services, sacraments and religious instruction, as well as rites of passage such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. The locations have varied: dugouts at Gallipoli; trench saps at Pozieres; on altars made out of unused thunder boxes in Vietnam fire patrol bases and in the combat outposts of Uruzgan Province. 4. Given this exemplary service, it is unthinkable that the Army would consider discarding the Christian faith chaplain's motto. 25. South Western Posthumous Promotion of General Sir John Monash That the Returned and Services League of Australia (New South Wales Branch) recommend to RSL National, as a salute to Australia s greatest General and an extraordinary citizen, steps be taken for the posthumous promotion of General Sir John Monash one step in rank to the rank of Field Marshal, effective 11 November 1930, in accord with the Blamey precedent, where Blamey was placed on active service for one day to allow his field marshal promotion to proceed. 1. He was considered the best general on the Western front in Europe, he possessed real creative originality, and the war might well have been over sooner, and certainly with fewer casualties, had Haig been relieved of his command and Monash appointed to command the British armies in his place. 2. In 2008, the late Rusty Priest, then president of NSW sub-branch of the RSL publicly supported the posthumous promotion of Monash, arguing further that had Monash been promoted earlier on the western Front that many Allied soldiers' lives would have been saved. 3. The consort of the queen of Australia, namely Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, remains a Field Marshal and will do so for the entirety of his life. The rank exists, there are people alive with the rank

27 26 and in any event Charles, the Prince of Wales and or his son Prince William, in succeeding to the throne one day, will be made a Field Marshal. (ix) SECURITY (x) POPULATION (xi) EDUCATION (xii) AUSTRALIAN YOUTH (xiii) AGED CARE IN THE VETERAN COMMUNITY (xiv) GENERAL STANDING POLICY ON VARIOUS MATTERS NEXT CONGRESS To be confirmed.