NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME – CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) VACCINES
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 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines as a factor in Guillain-Barre syndrome.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 23 & 24 of 2018, as amended, concerning Guillain-Barre syndrome.
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 12 April 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 25 March 2022.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 4 / 3 / 2022 |
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority, pursuant to section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has announced its intention to investigate the potential correlation between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and Guillain-Barre syndrome. This investigation is being conducted in relation to the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 23 & 24 of 2018, which address Guillain-Barre syndrome. The Authority is seeking submissions from various stakeholders, including eligible claimants, organisations representing veterans and their dependants, relevant commissions, and experts in pertinent fields. The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 12 April 2022, and submissions must be received by 25 March 2022, either electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post. This initiative aims to gather comprehensive insights and expert opinions to better understand any potential link between COVID-19 vaccines and Guillain-Barre syndrome within the veteran community.
Scope and Application
The notice of investigation issued by the Repatriation Medical Authority under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) pertains specifically to the potential relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and Guillain-Barre syndrome, with the investigation being framed within the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 23 and 24 of 2018. The Authority seeks submissions from various stakeholders including individuals eligible for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and other eligible persons, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts with relevant field knowledge. This investigation applies to any person or entity that has relevant expertise or a stake in the outcomes of the investigation into the health implications of COVID-19 vaccines on veterans and their dependants. Submissions must be made in writing by 25 March 2022, either electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, with guidance on the submission process available online. The investigation does not extend beyond the scope defined by the Statements of Principles and the VEA, and does not specify any exclusions or thresholds within this notice.
Key Provisions
The notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) (section 196G) is a formal announcement by the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) that it intends to conduct an investigation into whether COVID-19 vaccines are a factor in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). This investigation is mandated by subsection 196B(7A) of the VEA and will be conducted in the context of the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 23 & 24 of 2018, as amended, which concern GBS. The Authority is seeking written submissions from various stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pensions or compensation, organisations representing veterans and military personnel, and experts in relevant fields. Submissions can be lodged electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, and must be received by the Authority no later than 25 March 2022.
The obligations imposed by this notice are primarily on those who have been invited to submit information. These include individuals who are eligible to claim pensions or compensation, organisations representing veterans and military personnel, and experts with relevant expertise. They are required to provide written submissions to the Authority by the specified deadline, 25 March 2022. Submissions must be submitted electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, and should include any supporting information relevant to the investigation. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available to assist with the preparation of submissions. The Authority may also provide further assistance through its Secretariat.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this notice may not explicitly result in offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences as per the text provided. However, the importance of the investigation and the potential implications for veterans and military personnel affected by GBS mean that any failure to provide required information could have significant consequences for those involved. The Authority may consider the lack of submissions in its deliberations, potentially impacting the outcomes of the investigation and the rights of those affected. While specific penalties are not outlined in the text, the seriousness of the investigation suggests that non-compliance could be viewed negatively in the context of the legislative process.