NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – CONJUNCTIVITIS – HAVING A SENSITISING EXPOSURE TO AN ALLERGEN
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, pursuant to subsection 196B(7A) of the VEA, it intends to carry out an investigation in respect of having a sensitising exposure to an allergen as a factor in conjunctivitis.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 76 & 77 of 2020 concerning conjunctivitis.
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 7 June 2022.
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 20 May 2022.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 29 / 4 / 2022 |
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) is an important piece of Australian legislation enacted by the Australian Parliament, designed to provide various forms of support and benefits to veterans and their families. The Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive entitlements for veterans, ensuring they receive appropriate recognition and support for their service. One of the recent developments under this Act involves the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) initiating an investigation into the potential link between having a sensitising exposure to an allergen and conjunctivitis. This investigation, announced under section 196G of the VEA, aims to explore this relationship within the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 76 & 77 of 2020. The Authority is inviting submissions from eligible claimants, relevant organisations, and experts to contribute to this investigation, with the first meeting scheduled for 7 June 2022. Submissions must be received by 20 May 2022, either electronically via the RMA website or by other specified means.
Scope and Application
Pursuant to section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has issued a notice of an investigation into the potential role of sensitising exposure to an allergen as a factor in conjunctivitis, in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 76 & 77 of 2020. This investigation invites submissions from various stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pensions or compensation under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans or their dependants, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and persons with relevant expertise. Submissions can be made electronically, by email, or by post, with a deadline of 20 May 2022. This investigation is a Commonwealth-level initiative, focusing on the specified medical condition and its possible connection to allergen exposure, and does not currently outline specific exclusions or thresholds, though the scope of the investigation may be extended or restricted through subordinate instruments as necessary.
Key Provisions
Under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has announced its intention to investigate the role of sensitising exposure to allergens as a contributing factor in conjunctivitis, in accordance with subsection 196B(7A) of the VEA (section 196G). This investigation is linked to the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 76 & 77 of 2020 concerning conjunctivitis. The Authority invites submissions from various stakeholders, including those eligible for pension or compensation claims under the VEA or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, veterans' organisations, the Repatriation Commission or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts in relevant fields (section 196G). The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 7 June 2022. Submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, and must be received by 20 May 2022. Guidance on the submission process is available on the RMA website.
The Authority imposes certain obligations on the parties and entities it governs. Eligible individuals and organisations must submit written submissions by the specified deadline, providing their perspectives and expertise relevant to the investigation into allergen sensitisation and conjunctivitis. Submissions should be detailed, accurate, and based on reliable information or research. The Authority also provides multiple channels for submitting information, including electronic, email, and postal methods, to facilitate ease of access and participation. Additionally, the Authority may provide further assistance to those needing clarification on the submission process, indicating a commitment to ensuring all eligible parties have an opportunity to contribute to the investigation.
Failure to comply with the submission requirements or providing misleading information can result in various consequences. Although the document does not explicitly state the penalties for non-compliance, it is reasonable to infer that providing false or misleading information could be considered a breach of the Act, potentially leading to civil or criminal liability. Under Australian law, providing false or misleading information can be seen as a form of deception, which may result in fines or other legal repercussions, depending on the severity and intent behind the misleading information. Additionally, any failure to participate as required by the Authority could potentially impact the outcome of the investigation and any related entitlements or compensation claims.