NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION – PILONIDAL SINUS – PROLONGED SITTING
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 prolonged sitting as a factor in pilonidal sinus.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 27 & 28 of 2019 concerning pilonidal sinus.
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 6 October 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 17 September 2021.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR TERENCE CAMPBELL AM CHAIRPERSON 20 / 08 / 2021 |
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has given notice of an investigation under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) concerning prolonged sitting as a factor in pilonidal sinus. This investigation is being undertaken in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 27 & 28 of 2019 concerning pilonidal sinus, which address the medical conditions of veterans and their eligibility for certain benefits. The Authority invites submissions from eligible individuals, relevant organisations, and experts in the field, with a deadline of 17 September 2021 for all written submissions to be received. The first meeting for this investigation will be held on 6 October 2021, and the Authority provides options for electronic, email, or postal submission of information, with guidelines available on their website. The objective of this investigation is to gather comprehensive data and expert opinion to inform decisions regarding the eligibility of veterans for benefits related to pilonidal sinus.
Scope and Application
The notice of investigation issued by the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) pertains to the relationship between prolonged sitting and pilonidal sinus. This investigation is conducted in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 27 & 28 of 2019 concerning pilonidal sinus. The Authority is inviting submissions from various stakeholders, including individuals eligible to make claims for pension or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans or military personnel and their dependants, and experts in relevant fields. The Authority seeks to gather written submissions by 17 September 2021, which can be lodged electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, as detailed in the notice. This investigation aims to enhance the understanding of how prolonged sitting impacts the development of pilonidal sinus among eligible veterans and their families.
The scope of the investigation extends to the Commonwealth level, involving entities and individuals under the jurisdiction of the VEA and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004. The investigation seeks to incorporate insights from various stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive examination of the issue. The Authority does not explicitly mention exclusions or exemptions within this notice, but the call for submissions from specific groups suggests a targeted approach. The application of the Act and the investigation's scope may be further defined through subordinate instruments, though no such details are provided in the notice.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) provides a notice of an investigation by the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) regarding prolonged sitting as a factor in pilonidal sinus. This investigation is mandated by subsection 196B(7A) of the VEA and is conducted in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 27 & 28 of 2019 concerning pilonidal sinus. The Authority invites submissions from various stakeholders, including those eligible for claims under the VEA or Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), organisations representing veterans and their dependants, relevant Commissions, and experts with relevant expertise. Submissions must be made in writing and received by the Authority no later than 17 September 2021, and can be lodged electronically, via email, or by post.
The obligations imposed by this notice require eligible individuals and organisations to submit their written inputs by the specified deadline. These submissions should address the investigation's focus on prolonged sitting as a factor in pilonidal sinus, providing insights, evidence, or expertise relevant to the issue. The Authority will use these inputs to inform its investigation and decision-making process. Additionally, the Authority will convene its first meeting on 6 October 2021 to discuss the submissions and further its investigation.
The notice does not explicitly outline offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the requirement to submit written inputs by the specified deadline. However, the Authority's role in conducting the investigation and its reliance on stakeholder submissions suggest that failure to comply with the notice could potentially impact the investigation's outcomes and, by extension, the entitlements of affected veterans and their dependants. The maximum penalties for non-compliance are not stated in the notice.