NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND SECONDARY PARKINSONISM – MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND PARKINSON'S DISEASE
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 mild traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease as a factor in Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 55 & 56 of 2016, concerning Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism.
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 8 August 2023.
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 September 2023.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 30 / 6 / 2023 |
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), has issued a notice of its intention to conduct an investigation into the relationship between mild traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease, as well as its role as a factor in Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism. This investigation is occurring in the context of the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 55 and 56 of 2016 concerning Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism. The Authority invites submissions from eligible individuals, organisations representing various groups, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and those with relevant expertise. Submissions must be received by the Authority no later than 25 September 2023 and can be lodged electronically via the RMA website or by email or post, as detailed in the notice. This initiative aims to address potential gaps in understanding the connections between mild traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease among veterans, ensuring that any findings may inform future entitlements and compensation claims.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has issued a notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) indicating its intention to conduct an investigation into mild traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease as potential factors in Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism. This investigation is framed within the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 55 & 56 of 2016, which concern Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism. The Authority is inviting written submissions from various eligible individuals and organisations, including those who are eligible to make claims for pension or compensation, organisations representing veterans and other specified groups, and experts with relevant field expertise. The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 8 August 2023, with a deadline of 25 September 2023 for the submission of written submissions, which can be lodged electronically via the RMA website or sent by email or post. The Authority's decision to investigate is based on its mandate to review and determine the medical and scientific evidence concerning the relationship between mild traumatic brain injury and Parkinson's disease, with a particular focus on its implications for veterans and their dependants.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the notice under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) concern the investigation into the relationship between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and Parkinson's disease (sections 196G and 196B(7A)). Specifically, the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) intends to investigate the role of mTBI as a factor in Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism. This investigation is being conducted in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 55 & 56 of 2016, which pertain to Parkinson's disease and secondary parkinsonism.
The Authority has outlined the types of parties and entities it invites to participate in this investigation, which includes eligible claimants under Part II or Part IV of the VEA, claimants for compensation under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), organisations representing various groups of veterans and their dependants, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with relevant expertise. These submissions are intended to inform the investigation and can be made through the RMA website, email, or postal mail by the specified deadline of 25 September 2023.
The obligations imposed by this notice primarily involve the submission of written information by the invited parties and entities. Claimants, organisations, and experts are required to provide their insights and relevant data to the Authority to assist in the investigation. Submissions must be in writing and adhere to the RMA Submission Guidelines available online. Additionally, the Authority has scheduled its first meeting for 8 August 2023, marking the formal commencement of the investigation.
Breach of the submission requirements, such as failing to provide written submissions by the specified deadline, may not explicitly incur penalties as outlined in this notice. However, the effectiveness of the investigation and subsequent Statements of Principles could be impacted, potentially affecting eligibility and outcomes for claimants. While the notice does not detail specific penalties for non-compliance, the importance of adhering to the submission guidelines and deadlines is implicitly underscored.