NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – MULTIPLE CONDITIONS – (NUMBER 2) - INSTRUMENTS SUNSETTING ON 1 October 2025
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 investigations under subsection 196B(7) of the VEA to review the contents of Statements of Principles concerning the following:
Condition: | Instrument Nos.: |
Chickenpox | 87 & 88 of 2015 |
Fracture | 94 & 95 of 2015 |
Hereditary spherocytosis | 67 & 68 of 2015 |
Mesothelioma | 104 & 105 of 2015 as amended |
Myasthenia gravis | 75 & 76 of 2015 |
Myelodysplastic syndrome | 73 & 74 of 2015 as amended. |
Trigeminal neuralgia | 77 & 78 of 2015 |
Trigeminal neuropathy | 79 & 80 of 2015 as amended |
The Authority invites the following persons and organisations to make written submissions to the Authority in respect of any of the investigations:
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 each of these investigations on 7 February 2023.
Under the VEA, the Authority is required to find out whether there is new information available about how the above listed conditions may be suffered or contracted, or death from the above listed conditions may occur; and the extent to which the above listed conditions or death from the above listed conditions 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 24 January 2023.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 4 / January / 2023 |
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) has issued a notice of investigation to review Statements of Principles concerning certain medical conditions suffered by veterans. The conditions under review include chickenpox, fractures, hereditary spherocytosis, mesothelioma, myasthenia gravis, myelodysplastic syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, and trigeminal neuropathy. This investigation aims to determine if there is new information available about how these conditions may be suffered or contracted, and the extent to which they may be war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease, or a service death. The RMA invites submissions from eligible claimants, relevant organisations, and experts in related fields to provide input on these matters. Submissions can be made through the RMA website, email, or post, with a deadline of 24 January 2023. The first meeting for each investigation is scheduled for 7 February 2023.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has issued a notice of investigations to review the contents of Statements of Principles for various medical conditions affecting veterans, including Chickenpox, Fracture, Hereditary spherocytosis, Mesothelioma, Myasthenia gravis, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Trigeminal neuralgia, and Trigeminal neuropathy. This Act applies to individuals eligible for pension claims under the VEA, those eligible for compensation claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and their dependants, and relevant Commissions. The Authority also welcomes submissions from experts in relevant fields. The scope of the investigation extends to determining if there is new information on the conditions' causes, occurrences, or war-related causation, and whether they qualify as service injuries, diseases, or deaths. The notice mandates that all submissions be received by the Authority no later than 24 January 2023, and invites interested parties to submit their views through the RMA website, email, or post.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) provides the framework for the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) to investigate and review Statements of Principles concerning specific medical conditions. This legislation mandates that the Authority investigate whether there is new information available regarding how certain conditions may be suffered or contracted, or death from these conditions may occur, and the extent to which these conditions or deaths may be war-caused, defence-caused, a service injury, a service disease or a service death. The conditions under review include Chickenpox, Fracture, Hereditary spherocytosis, Mesothelioma, Myasthenia gravis, Myelodysplastic syndrome, Trigeminal neuralgia, and Trigeminal neuropathy.
The Authority imposes several obligations on relevant parties and entities. Eligible individuals, such as those making claims for pension or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), as well as organisations representing veterans and their dependents, are invited to make written submissions. These submissions must be lodged electronically via the RMA website or sent by email or post by a specified deadline, in this case, 24 January 2023. Additionally, experts in fields relevant to the investigations are also encouraged to contribute their insights. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available online to assist with the preparation and submission of these documents.
Failure to comply with the obligations outlined in the VEA can result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in this excerpt, breaches of legislative requirements under the VEA could potentially lead to enforcement actions, fines, or other legal repercussions depending on the severity and nature of the non-compliance. It is important for all parties involved to adhere strictly to the guidelines and deadlines to avoid any adverse outcomes.