Defence force legal action unfair

Richard Worth - National Defence Spokesperson

Defence force strong-arm tactics in threatening legal action to soldiers after its own blunder is totally unfair, says National’s Defence Spokesperson Richard Worth.

“These soldiers were asked to apply for a defence transfer loan subsidy which they were later denied, through the defence force’s own blunder. To threaten them with legal action if they didn’t pay the money back, money that they never knew they owed, is blatantly wrong.

“This issue highlights the disparity between the pay and allowances of the territorial force and the regular force when the soldiers in both forces are doing the same work in peacekeeping and combat operations.

“The Defence Minister must investigate why the territorials were told they were entitled to an allowance and then sent letter demanding it back.

“Territorial force soldiers are putting their lives on the line for their country, they are giving up work commitments and opportunities for career advancement back home.
“The New Zealand Defence Force does not treat them fairly. While territorials do different work to the regular force in New Zealand, in operations overseas they do the same job as the regular force. They should be paid and as such and get the same benefits as regular force soldiers,” Mr Worth said.

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