NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – BLAST-INDUCED MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY
Section 196G of the
Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) gives notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) that it intends to carry out an investigation pursuant to subsection 196B(4) of the VEA to find out whether Statements of Principles may be determined in respect of blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury.
The Authority invites the following persons and organisations to make written submissions to the Authority in respect of the investigation:
- a person eligible to make a claim for pension under Part II or Part IV of the VEA;
- a person eligible to make a claim for compensation under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA);
- an organisation representing veterans, Australian mariners, members of the Forces, members of the Peacekeeping Forces, members within the meaning of the MRCA, or their dependants;
- the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission; and
- a person having expertise in a field relevant to the investigation.
The Authority will hold its first meeting for the purposes of this investigation on 5 August 2025.
Under the VEA, the Authority is required to find out whether there is information available about how blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury may be suffered or contracted, or death from blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury may occur, and the extent to which blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury or death from blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury may be war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease or a service death. Persons and organisations wishing to make a submission can use the RMA website http://www.rma.gov.au/investigations/ to electronically lodge the submission and supporting information. Alternatively, submissions can be sent by email to info@rma.gov.au or posted to the address below. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available online for guidance. The RMA Secretariat may be contacted at the address, telephone number or email address below for further assistance.
All submissions must be in writing and received by the Authority no later than 15 July 2025.
By and on behalf of Repatriation Medical Authority | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 15 April 2025 |
Repatriation Medical Authority
GPO Box 1014, Brisbane, Qld 4001
Telephone: (07) 3815 9404 Email: info@rma.gov.au
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was established to address the need for comprehensive support and entitlements for veterans and their families. This Act provides a framework for the provision of pensions, benefits, and compensation to veterans, with the aim of recognising and compensating for the sacrifices and hardships incurred during military service. The Act was introduced to fill the gap in formal recognition and support for veterans, ensuring that they receive the assistance they need in various aspects of their lives post-service. The Repatriation Medical Authority, acting under section 196G of the Act, has announced its intention to investigate blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury to determine whether Statements of Principles may be established for this condition. This investigation aims to ascertain the relationship between such injuries and military service, thereby potentially extending the scope of entitlements available to affected veterans.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has announced its intention to conduct an investigation into the potential determination of Statements of Principles for blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury. This investigation is aimed at understanding whether such injuries may be considered war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease, or a service death. The Authority has invited submissions from a range of stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and related groups, relevant Commissions, and experts in fields pertinent to the investigation. The investigation is open to submissions until 15 July 2025, and interested parties can submit their written statements via the RMA website, email, or post. This initiative is part of the broader scope of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, which applies nationally across Australia, and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, with the Authority’s role extending to ensuring comprehensive coverage of veterans’ health conditions through this investigative process.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the notice issued by the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) focus on an investigation into whether Statements of Principles may be determined for blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury (section 196G(1)). The Authority seeks to determine the extent to which blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury or death from such injury may be considered war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease, or a service death. The Authority invites submissions from eligible claimants, representatives of veterans and military personnel, and experts relevant to the investigation.
The Authority, as stated in the notice, imposes specific obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Eligible claimants for pensions or compensation, organisations representing veterans or military personnel, and experts in relevant fields are required to submit written statements by 15 July 2025. These submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website or by email or post, following the guidelines provided. The Authority will consider these submissions in its investigation, aiming to gather comprehensive information on the specified injuries.
Failure to comply with the submission requirements may result in various consequences, though the notice does not specify particular offences or penalties. The primary consequence of non-compliance would be the inability of the Authority to consider the input of those who fail to meet the submission deadline. This could potentially impact the thoroughness and fairness of the investigation, as well as the outcomes of any subsequent Statements of Principles. While the notice does not detail specific penalties, the exclusion of non-compliant submissions could indirectly affect the recognition and compensation processes for veterans suffering from blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury.
The Authority’s investigation, as stipulated in the notice, is part of a broader effort to address the long-term health impacts of military service accurately. By inviting a wide range of submissions, the Authority aims to ensure that the investigation is informed by diverse perspectives and expert opinions. This inclusive approach is essential for developing comprehensive Statements of Principles that reflect the realities of blast-induced mild traumatic brain injury and its implications for veterans and their dependants.