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 immunosuppressive drugs as a factor in diverticular disease of the colon.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 15 & 16 of 2016 concerning diverticular disease of the colon.
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 7 April 2020.
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 23 March 2020.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO CHAIRPERSON 20 / 2 / 2020 |
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the entitlements of veterans and their families, ensuring that they receive appropriate support and benefits. The Repatriation Medical Authority, established under this Act, has the responsibility to investigate specific medical conditions and their connections to service, aiming to address gaps in understanding and treatment of health issues experienced by veterans. The Authority's recent investigation under section 196G of the VEA seeks to explore the potential link between immunosuppressive drugs and diverticular disease of the colon, in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 15 & 16 of 2016. This initiative, undertaken by the Repatriation Medical Authority, aims to enhance the medical support and benefits provided to affected veterans, aligning with the overarching policy objective of the VEA to ensure comprehensive care and compensation for veterans' health conditions.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, pursuant to section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), has announced an investigation into the potential link between immunosuppressive drugs and diverticular disease of the colon, particularly in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 15 and 16 of 2016. This investigation is open to a range of stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans or their dependants, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts with relevant field expertise. These entities and individuals are invited to submit written contributions, with the deadline for submissions being 23 March 2020, and the first meeting scheduled for 7 April 2020. Submissions can be lodged electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, with guidelines and further assistance available through the RMA Secretariat.
The scope of this investigation is geographically limited to the Commonwealth of Australia, and it specifically targets immunosuppressive drugs as a factor in the development of diverticular disease of the colon among veterans. The exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds applicable to this investigation are not explicitly stated in the notice. However, the Repatriation Medical Authority may extend or further define the application of this Act through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
The main operative sections of this notice pertain to the investigation of immunosuppressive drugs as a factor in diverticular disease of the colon under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) intends to carry out this investigation in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 15 & 16 of 2016 (subsection 196B(7A) of the VEA). The Authority invites eligible parties, including veterans, organisations representing veterans, and experts in relevant fields, to make written submissions to assist in the investigation. The Authority will hold its first meeting on 7 April 2020, and submissions must be received by 23 March 2020.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs. Eligible individuals and organisations are invited to make written submissions to the Authority by a specified deadline. Submissions must be in writing and should be submitted electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available online to assist with the submission process. Additionally, the Authority is responsible for conducting the investigation in accordance with the VEA and the Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 15 & 16 of 2016.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences mentioned for failing to comply with the requirements of the Act in this notice. However, the importance of adhering to the deadlines and submission guidelines underscores the necessity for compliance. The Authority may consider the content of the submissions in its investigation, and non-compliance could potentially impact the outcomes of the investigation and the considerations given to the submissions.