Well, on Monday evening, the DFRT handed down their decision to support the 1.5% pay rise for three years and reducing leave entitlements for the 57,000 members of the ADF. No real surprises there, releasing it the evening before the Melbourne Cup and when parliament are not sitting. Surprise, surprise....!! The DFRT stated that they were simply approving what the Government and the CDF had submitted to them. But this does not mean that we have lost. Far from it... Together, we can and will make a difference and the Government will have to respond to us. Remember the Government serve us, not the other way around. We employ them to carry out our wishes not their own self interest. It only serves to reinforce that what we are doing is the right thing by our ADF. The ADF cannot take industrial action or make public comment. We have to do it for them. You, me, ADF families and the wider community have to make a stand against this Government that would tell us that our ADF are not worthy of a pay rise that at a very minimum keeps pace with inflation. The cupboard ain't bare and we all know that ..! Please maintain the rage, keep up the pressure, spread the word. We now stand at nearly 20,500 signatures and growing every day. The Canberra Times commented: "The Prime Minister has stood by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal approval of the below-inflation pay deal for 57,000 Australia soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel on Tuesday morning, suggesting it will be highest pay rise anyone in the public service will receive this year." (Our petition is mentioned in the article) http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/slime-minister-abbott-diggers-families-and-supporters-vent-outrage-at-adf-pay-deal-20141104-11gnvx.html