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 the following:
- the definition of anxiety disorder; and
- mefloquine,
as a factor in anxiety disorder.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 102 & 103 of 2014 concerning anxiety disorder.
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 1 December 2015.
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 20 November 2015.
The Common Seal of the )
Repatriation Medical Authority )
was affixed at the direction of: )
PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO
CHAIRPERSON 19 / 06 / 2015
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) was enacted to provide various benefits and entitlements to Australian veterans, including pensions, compensation, and medical services. One of its key objectives is to ensure that the health conditions of veterans are accurately assessed and appropriately compensated. The Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA), established under the VEA, plays a critical role in determining the medical conditions that qualify for benefits and in addressing any gaps or uncertainties in the existing definitions and understanding of those conditions. This investigation into the definition of anxiety disorder and the potential link to mefloquine is intended to fill a gap in the understanding of these conditions as they pertain to veterans, ensuring that they receive fair and accurate assessments for their entitlements.
The RMA, acting under section 196G of the VEA, has initiated this investigation to clarify and potentially redefine anxiety disorder and its relation to mefloquine, in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 102 and 103 of 2014. The Authority seeks to gather input from relevant stakeholders, including veterans, organisations representing veterans, and experts in relevant fields, to ensure that the investigation is comprehensive and well-informed. This effort is part of the ongoing commitment to accurately address and improve the health and welfare of veterans under the VEA.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, pursuant to section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has issued a notice of investigation concerning the definition of anxiety disorder and the drug mefloquine as a factor in such disorders, in the context of Statements of Principles Instruments Nos. 102 and 103 of 2014. This investigation is open to a wide range of stakeholders, including individuals eligible to claim pensions or compensation under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and related groups, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with expertise relevant to the investigation. Submissions are invited and must be submitted in writing by 20 November 2015, adhering to the guidelines available on the RMA website or by contacting the RMA Secretariat. The Authority's first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 1 December 2015.
This investigation is conducted under the Commonwealth jurisdiction, targeting specific areas of interest within the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986. The scope includes individuals who may have claims under relevant sections of the Act, representative organisations, and experts in related fields. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the notice, and the investigation is expected to be comprehensive, potentially extending through any subordinate instruments or further legislative actions deemed necessary by the Authority.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) mandates that the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) must notify the public when it intends to investigate specific aspects of veterans' entitlements. In this instance, the Authority plans to investigate the definition of anxiety disorder and the potential role of mefloquine as a contributing factor to this disorder. This investigation is being undertaken in the context of Statements of Principles Instruments Nos. 102 and 103 of 2014, which pertain to anxiety disorder.
The Authority extends an invitation to various stakeholders to provide written submissions related to the investigation. These include individuals eligible to claim pensions under Part II or Part IV of the VEA, those eligible for compensation under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and their dependents, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with relevant expertise. The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 1 December 2015, and interested parties must submit their written contributions by 20 November 2015.
Parties or entities governed by the VEA, including individuals and organisations invited to submit written contributions, are required to adhere to the Authority's guidelines and deadlines. They must submit their submissions in writing by the specified date and ensure they address the scope of the investigation as outlined by the Authority. Failure to comply with these submission requirements may result in their input not being considered in the investigation process.
The VEA does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for non-compliance with the submission process outlined in section 196G. However, the Authority may have internal protocols or guidelines that address such matters. Generally, non-compliance with the Authority's procedures or deadlines may lead to the exclusion of submissions from the investigation process, potentially impacting the outcomes and decisions made by the Authority in relation to the investigation of anxiety disorder and mefloquine.