Information for former Australian Government employees who believe they were entitled to join the CSS from an earlier date in their past employment

You may be aware that on 20 April 2007, Mr John Cornwell, a retired Australian Government employee, won a claim in the High Court on the basis that he should have been allowed to join the Commonwealth Superannuation Scheme from a much earlier date than he actually did and was therefore entitled to a higher pension.

This is a matter for the Australian Government and the Department of Finance and Administration has asked us to advise members what to do if you believe you are in a similar situation to Mr Cornwell.

If you consider that you are similarly affected and wish to make an enquiry, please provide your contact details (name, address, phone and email contacts) plus any other relevant details in writing to:

Branch Manager
Special Claims and Land Policy Branch
Department of Finance and Administration
John Gorton Building
King Edward Terrace
PARKES  ACT  2600

The Department of Finance and Administration advises that it is setting up processes to deal with and assess claims. Once this is established, you will receive a questionnaire so you can provide all the details required to assess your situation. This means you do not have to provide too much detail in your initial letter.

In the meantime, the Department of Finance and Administration will send you an acknowledgement that it has received your enquiry letter.

The Department of Finance and Administration has now established a dedicated mailbox to which Cornwell enquiries and initial registration can be sent: superclaims@finance.gov.au