Message from the Minister

Message from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence

The Hon Danna Vale MP

On 8 February 2002 I was pleased to announce that the Federal Government had appointed The Hon John Clarke QC to conduct an independent review of perceived anomalies in the access to veterans’ entitlements.

The Review of Veterans’ Entitlements was a key commitment in the Coalition Government’s 2001 election platform for the veteran community.

The Government has recognised concerns in sections of the veteran community that some ex-servicemen and women may be missing out on entitlements because of perceived anomalies in the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

There also are ongoing concerns about the adequacy of benefits and support available for veterans receiving the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (T&PI) rate and other rates of veteran disability pension.

The independent committee will hear submissions on these issues and make recommendations in line with the Government’s commitment to providing fair, consistent and appropriate benefits to Australia’s veterans.

In addition to the Hon John Clarke QC, a former judge of the NSW Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, the other two members are former Vice-Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Air Marshal Douglas Riding AO DFC, and the former Secretary of the Department of Family and Community Services, Dr David Rosalky.

The Veterans’ Entitlements Act is based on a number of core principles including the determination of qualifying service and veterans’ benefits for those who have suffered the special deprivations of confronting the enemy. These principles have been supported by successive governments.

The committee will examine the history and current interpretation of eligibility criteria for qualifying service, which entitles veterans to apply for a range of benefits, including the service pension. This will include perceived anomalies that may be raised by groups including some World War II veterans, veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, participants in the British atomic testing program in Australia and personnel involved in counter-terrorist and special recovery training.

In relation to the T&PI and other disability pensions, the committee will consider the appropriateness of current benefits and the extent to which the medical, social and vocational rehabilitation needs of compensation pensioners are being met.

The Committee will make recommendations on possible improvements in benefits and support programs to address any identified deficiencies, including the potential to restructure benefits and programs in order to fund any reforms.

I urge members of the veteran community to give their support to the review and to take the opportunity to provide submissions for consideration.

The committee will report in November, enabling the Government to consider its recommendations in the context of the May 2003 Budget.

Media releases issued by the Minister about the Review of Veterans’ Entitlements can be accessed as follows:

Media Release VA005: Release of Clarke report into Veterans' Entitlements