INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS: SCOTT The Federal Government has appointed a former Supreme Court judge, a senior RAAF officer and Vietnam veteran and a former Commonwealth Department head to conduct an independent review of perceived anomalies in the access to veterans’ entitlements.

During a visit to Warwick today, Federal National Party Member for Maranoa, Bruce Scott said the committee would hear submissions from interested parties on a range of issues and urged members of the veteran community throughout his electorate to give their support to the review.

Mr  Scott  said  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,” he said.

“There  are  also  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.”

Mr Scott said the committee would be chaired by Justice 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  special deprivations and pressures when confronting the enemy. These principles have been supported by successive governments,” Mr Scott said.

“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  personnel  who  did  not  serve  outside  Australia,  veterans  of  the  British  Commonwealth Occupation  Force  in  Japan,  participants  in  the  British  atomic  testing  program  in  Australia  and SAS Regiment personnel involved in counter-terrorist and special recovery training,” he said.

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MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Bruce Scott MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR MARANOA

“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.

“It 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.”

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

Submissions  to  the  review  may  be  sent  to:  The  Veterans’  Review  Committee,  PO  Box  9563, Deakin ACT 2600. Terms of Reference for the Review of Veterans’ Entitlements are available at www.dva.gov.au.

15 February 2002

