NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – MULTIPLE CONDITIONS – IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS
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 taking immune checkpoint inhibitors as a factor in the conditions in the following table:
Condition: | Instrument Nos.: |
hypopituitarism | 11 & 12 of 2019, as amended |
diabetes mellitus | 48 & 49 of 2020, as amended |
hypogonadism | 73 & 74 of 2021 |
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 10 November 2021.
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 22 October 2021.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 1 / 10 / 2021 |
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) was enacted to provide a range of benefits and entitlements to Australian Defence Force veterans and their dependants. The Act was introduced to address the need for comprehensive support and recognition for those who have served in the defence forces, including medical and pension benefits. The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA), as the body responsible for medical assessments and recommendations under the VEA, has announced its intention to investigate the potential link between the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and specific medical conditions, including hypopituitarism, diabetes mellitus, and hypogonadism. The RMA is seeking written submissions from eligible individuals, relevant organisations, and experts in the field to inform its investigation. The policy objective of this investigation is to better understand the implications of immune checkpoint inhibitor use on veterans' health and entitlements under the VEA.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, pursuant to section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, is undertaking an investigation into the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a factor in specific medical conditions affecting veterans, namely hypopituitarism, diabetes mellitus, and hypogonadism. This investigation is directed at various stakeholders including veterans eligible for pension or compensation under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans or their dependants, and experts in relevant fields. The Authority invites these groups to submit written submissions by 22 October 2021, either electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post. The initial meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 10 November 2021, and the Authority provides guidance through its RMA Submission Guidelines, with further assistance available via the RMA Secretariat. This investigation applies nationally, encompassing all veterans who might be affected by the identified conditions and seeking to understand the implications of immune checkpoint inhibitors on their health and entitlements.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) outlines the process through which the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) intends to investigate the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the development of certain medical conditions, specifically hypopituitarism, diabetes mellitus, and hypogonadism. This investigation aims to determine if these conditions, listed in Instruments Nos. 11 & 12 of 2019, 48 & 49 of 2020, and 73 & 74 of 2021 respectively, can be linked to the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors by veterans. The Authority invites submissions from eligible individuals, organisations representing veterans, and experts relevant to the investigation. These submissions are crucial for providing diverse perspectives and expertise on the matter.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the parties and entities it governs are clear. Eligible individuals and organisations are mandated to submit written submissions to the Authority by 22 October 2021, providing their insights and relevant information regarding the investigation. This requirement ensures that the investigation benefits from a wide range of inputs, including those from veterans and experts, to form a comprehensive understanding of the potential link between immune checkpoint inhibitors and the specified conditions. Furthermore, the Authority must conduct the investigation in a manner that is thorough and considers all submitted information, adhering to the guidelines and timelines set out in the Act.
Failure to comply with the requirements outlined in the Act can lead to civil or criminal consequences. Although specific penalties are not detailed in the notice, breaches of such legislative requirements generally attract penalties as stipulated under the relevant Acts and regulations. For instance, not submitting the required information by the deadline could result in the Authority making its findings without the benefit of that information, potentially impacting the fairness and accuracy of its conclusions. Additionally, any intentional or negligent failure to provide accurate information could lead to further legal scrutiny or penalties, depending on the severity and intent behind the non-compliance.