P A R L I A M E N T  O F  A U S T R A L I A

H O U S E  O F  R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

PARLIAMENT HOUSE  CANBERRA. A C T. 2600  TEL 72 1211

MEDIA RELEASE BY TIM FISCHER MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS' AFFAIRS  NATIONAL PARTY MEMBER FOR FARRER

CONCORD HOSPITAL: URGENT HEARING REQUIRED

"It will be a bitter pill for veterans and war widows if  Concord Repatriation Hospital is forced to close.

"This is particularly so if this occurs in the month of  ANZAC due to the staff shortages, further resignations and  industrial disputation".

Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs Tim Fischer said this  today when calling on the Federal Government to obtain an  urgent hearing before the Industrial and Arbitration  Commission.

"The Federal Government, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs  and the Department of Veterans' Affairs are involved on two  direct counts, firstly as employer and secondly as the  Department responsible for the care and treatment of our  veterans".

"This long running industrial saga in the repatriation  hospital system across Australia has led to over 1000 beds  being closed at various times in recent years.

"In turn this had led to real hardship particularly for  World War II veterans as they enter a crucial health phase  of their lives".

Mr Fisher added that it will be a busy period for Veterans'  Affairs with action required on various fronts particularly  the repatriation hospital crisis, the build-up to the  critical mini-budget and the decision by the British  Government to pay pensions to certain personnel involved in

the Maralinga atomic testing.

Canberra  3 April 1988  For further information contact: (069) 27-1456 or 20-8271

