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 dieldrin as a factor in malignant neoplasm of the prostate.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument concerning malignant neoplasm of the prostate Nos. 53 & 54 of 2014.
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 21/ 08 /2015
Overview
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA) has announced its intention to conduct an investigation into dieldrin as a contributing factor to malignant neoplasm of the prostate. Enacted in 1986, the VEA was designed to provide financial support and other benefits to veterans, their families, and those injured in military service. This investigation is being undertaken in response to Statements of Principles Instrument concerning malignant neoplasm of the prostate Nos. 53 & 54 of 2014. The Authority aims to gather comprehensive insights from eligible claimants, relevant organisations, and experts to better understand the potential link between dieldrin exposure and prostate cancer in veterans. The Authority seeks written submissions from various stakeholders by 20 November 2015, inviting those with relevant expertise or vested interest in the matter to contribute to the investigation.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, has announced an investigation into the potential link between dieldrin and malignant neoplasm of the prostate, as outlined in the Statements of Principles Instrument concerning malignant neoplasm of the prostate Nos. 53 & 54 of 2014. This investigation aims to consider the broader implications of dieldrin exposure on the health of veterans and related groups. The Authority welcomes written submissions from a range of stakeholders, including individuals eligible for pension claims under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, those eligible for compensation under 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 knowledge. Submissions are to be submitted in accordance with the RMA Submission Guidelines, available via the RMA website or by contacting the RMA Secretariat, and must be received by the Authority no later than 20 November 2015. The first meeting of the Authority regarding this investigation is scheduled for 1 December 2015.
Key Provisions
The key operative sections of the notice of investigation provided under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) establish the intent of the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) to investigate dieldrin as a factor in malignant neoplasm of the prostate (section 196G). This investigation is to be conducted within the context of the Statements of Principles Instrument concerning malignant neoplasm of the prostate Nos. 53 and 54 of 2014. This notice invites certain individuals and organisations to submit written statements relevant to the investigation. The targeted submitters include those eligible to claim pensions or compensation, organisations representing veterans or related groups, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and individuals with expertise pertinent to the investigation.
The obligations imposed by this notice include the requirement for specific individuals and organisations to submit written submissions to the Authority by a specified deadline, in this case, 20 November 2015. Submissions must adhere to the RMA Submission Guidelines, which can be obtained from the RMA website or by contacting the RMA Secretariat. The Authority has set a date for its first meeting on 1 December 2015 to discuss the investigation, indicating a formalised process for the review of submissions and the initiation of the investigation. This formal process ensures that all stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input and that the investigation is conducted in a structured and transparent manner.
There are no explicit offences, penalties, or consequences for breach stated in this notice. However, the requirement to submit written submissions by the specified date implies that failure to do so could result in exclusion from the investigative process or consideration. Additionally, the notice does not mention any specific maximum penalties for non-compliance, but the omission of such details might imply that the primary consequence of non-compliance would be the inability to contribute to the investigation, potentially impacting the outcomes of the investigation and related entitlements or compensations for affected individuals. The absence of explicit penalties in this notice suggests that the focus is more on facilitating the investigation process rather than penalising non-compliance.