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 firefighting as a factor in malignant melanoma of the skin.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 102 & 103 of 2015 concerning malignant melanoma of the skin.
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 9 April 2019.
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 18 March 2019.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO CHAIRPERSON 21 / 12 / 2018 |
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) is an Australian legislative act that was enacted to provide entitlements for veterans and their dependants. This Act was introduced to address the need to recognise and provide for the health, welfare, and support of veterans, ensuring they receive appropriate care and compensation for service-related conditions. The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), established under the VEA, plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing these entitlements, including the investigation of conditions potentially linked to service activities. In this instance, the Authority has issued a notice of investigation into the link between firefighting and malignant melanoma of the skin, seeking submissions from relevant parties to inform this inquiry. The Authority's initiative aims to broaden the understanding of conditions that may be covered under the VEA, thereby extending potential benefits to affected veterans.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority, under the provisions of section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has issued a notice of an investigation into firefighting as a potential factor contributing to malignant melanoma of the skin. This investigation is being carried out within the framework of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 102 and 103 of 2015, which specifically address malignant melanoma of the skin. The scope of the investigation is intended to encompass various stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pension claims under Part II or Part IV of the VEA, those eligible for compensation claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and related groups, and experts with relevant field expertise. This notice extends an invitation for written submissions from these stakeholders, which can be submitted through the RMA website, by email, or by post, with a deadline of 18 March 2019. The Authority will convene its first meeting on 9 April 2019 to commence this investigation, which is a Commonwealth initiative and does not explicitly mention exclusions or thresholds in the provided text.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) outlines the Repatriation Medical Authority's (the Authority) intention to investigate the potential link between firefighting activities and malignant melanoma of the skin, in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 102 and 103 of 2015. The Authority seeks written submissions from various eligible parties, including individuals who may make claims for pension or compensation, organisations representing veterans and related groups, and experts in relevant fields. Submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, following the RMA Submission Guidelines. The deadline for submissions is 18 March 2019, and the first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 9 April 2019.
The Act imposes specific obligations on the Authority to conduct this investigation in a thorough and transparent manner, including inviting relevant submissions and providing a clear timeline for their receipt. It also requires that submissions be made in writing and received by the specified deadline. The Authority is mandated to consider these submissions and incorporate relevant information into its investigation, potentially influencing the outcomes of Statements of Principles related to malignant melanoma of the skin and firefighting.
Breach of the provisions outlined in Section 196G does not directly impose criminal or civil penalties on individuals or entities. However, failure to comply with the requirements for making submissions or providing relevant information may impact the outcomes of the investigation. The Authority may not consider submissions that do not adhere to the specified guidelines or are received after the deadline, which could affect the comprehensiveness of the investigation and the potential recognition of firefighting as a contributing factor to malignant melanoma of the skin. This, in turn, may influence the eligibility of veterans and related individuals for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.