NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION
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 exposure to ionising radiation as a factor in Alzheimer-type dementia.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 22 & 23 of 2010 concerning Alzheimer-type dementia.
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 Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986;
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 10 December 2013.
Persons and organisations wishing to make a submission should obtain a copy of the RMA Submission Guidelines from the RMA website [www.rma.gov.au] or by contacting the RMA Secretariat at the address or telephone number below.
All submissions must be in writing and received by the Authority at the address below no later than 22 November 2013.
The Common Seal of the )
Repatriation Medical Authority )
was affixed at the direction of: )
PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO
CHAIRPERSON 11/10/2013
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority, established under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has announced its intention to investigate the potential link between exposure to ionising radiation and Alzheimer-type dementia, in line with section 196G of the Act. This investigation aims to address a notable gap in the understanding of contributing factors to Alzheimer-type dementia among veterans and other eligible individuals. By examining this potential causal relationship, the Authority seeks to provide clarity and potentially expand the scope of entitlements and compensations available under existing legislation. The Repatriation Medical Authority is inviting submissions from various stakeholders, including veterans, organisations representing veterans, and experts in relevant fields, to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the issue. This initiative reflects a commitment to improving the support and recognition for veterans suffering from debilitating conditions, aligning with the broader policy objective of the Act to safeguard the welfare of those who have served in the defence forces.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, under the auspices of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has announced its intention to conduct an investigation into the potential link between exposure to ionising radiation and Alzheimer-type dementia. This investigation is particularly relevant to those eligible to claim pensions or compensation under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, as well as to organisations representing veterans and their dependants, and experts in relevant fields. The scope of the investigation is limited to the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 22 & 23 of 2010 concerning Alzheimer-type dementia. The Authority has called for written submissions from interested parties by 22 November 2013, with its first meeting scheduled for 10 December 2013. The Act applies to individuals and entities that can provide relevant information or expertise, extending its reach to both Commonwealth and state jurisdictions as per the provisions of the VEA and MRCA. The submission guidelines and necessary contact details are available on the RMA website or by contacting the RMA Secretariat directly.
Key Provisions
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) has announced its intention to conduct an investigation regarding the potential link between exposure to ionising radiation and Alzheimer-type dementia (section 196G). This investigation is being undertaken in the context of the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 22 & 23 of 2010, which pertain to Alzheimer-type dementia. The Authority seeks written submissions from several specified groups, including individuals eligible for pension claims under Part II or Part IV of the VEA, those eligible for compensation claims under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA), organisations representing veterans and related groups, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with relevant expertise (section 196G). The first meeting of the investigation is scheduled for 10 December 2013, and interested parties must submit their written submissions by 22 November 2013 (section 196G).
The obligations imposed by this notice require the aforementioned groups and individuals to submit written submissions to the Authority by the specified deadline. This includes eligible claimants, representative organisations, and experts in relevant fields. These submissions should be based on the guidelines provided by the Repatriation Medical Authority, which can be accessed via the RMA website or by contacting the RMA Secretariat directly. The Authority's call for submissions indicates a structured and inclusive approach to gathering diverse perspectives and evidence to inform the investigation (section 196G).
In terms of potential consequences for non-compliance, the legislation does not explicitly outline specific penalties or consequences for failing to submit written submissions by the deadline. However, the importance of adhering to the submission guidelines and meeting the deadline is underscored by the formal nature of the notice and the Authority's intent to carry out a comprehensive investigation. Non-compliance may result in the exclusion of valuable insights and perspectives from the investigation, potentially impacting its thoroughness and outcomes (section 196G). While there are no stated penalties for non-compliance with the submission requirements, the structured process suggests a formal and serious approach to the investigation, implying that non-compliance could be viewed as an impediment to the investigation's objectives.