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 head trauma as a factor in migraine.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 7 & 8 of 2018 concerning migraine.
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 August 2018.
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 3 August 2018.
The Common Seal of the ) Repatriation Medical Authority ) was affixed at the direction of: ) | |
| PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO CHAIRPERSON 22 / 6 / 2018 |
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the entitlements of veterans, their families, and dependants. A significant gap it aimed to address was the need for comprehensive and systematic assessment of conditions and injuries sustained by veterans, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation and medical care. The Repatriation Medical Authority, under section 196G of the Act, has been mandated to conduct investigations into specific medical conditions, including head trauma as a factor in migraines, as outlined in Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 7 & 8 of 2018. The Authority's policy objective is to ensure that the investigation is thorough and inclusive, inviting submissions from eligible claimants, representative organisations, and experts in relevant fields to inform its findings and recommendations. This approach underscores the commitment to a fair and evidence-based assessment of veterans' health issues.
Scope and Application
The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has announced, in accordance with section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), its intention to investigate the correlation between head trauma and migraines, as outlined in Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 7 & 8 of 2018. This investigation applies to individuals eligible to make claims for pensions under Part II or Part IV of the VEA, those eligible for compensation under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans and their dependants, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts in relevant fields. The Authority is soliciting written submissions from these entities by 3 August 2018, which can be submitted electronically via the RMA website, emailed to info@rma.gov.au, or posted to a specified address. The Authority will convene its first meeting for this investigation on 7 August 2018, and the scope of the investigation may be further defined or expanded through subordinate instruments.
Key Provisions
Under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has notified its intention to conduct an investigation into head trauma as a factor in migraines, particularly in relation to Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 7 & 8 of 2018. This investigation is a significant step to better understand and potentially expand the scope of entitlements for veterans suffering from migraines. The Authority's decision to investigate this link is an attempt to provide more comprehensive support to those affected by these conditions.
The Authority has specified that various individuals and organisations can submit written submissions on this matter. This includes veterans or their dependants who are eligible to claim under the Act, representatives of veteran or military organisations, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts with relevant expertise. The aim is to gather a wide range of perspectives and evidence to inform the investigation. Submissions must be made by 3 August 2018, either electronically through the RMA website, via email, or by post, as outlined in the notice. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available for those needing further guidance on how to prepare their submissions.
The obligations imposed on the parties involved are primarily centred around the timely and appropriate submission of relevant information. Eligible veterans, their representatives, and experts are required to provide written submissions by the specified deadline. This submission process is crucial as it allows the Authority to gather comprehensive data and insights from various stakeholders, which will be instrumental in shaping the investigation's findings and recommendations.
Failure to comply with the requirements to submit written submissions by the deadline may result in exclusion from the investigation process, potentially impacting the representation of certain perspectives. Additionally, while the notice does not explicitly state penalties for non-compliance, the consequences of not participating in the investigation could include incomplete or biased findings, which could affect the outcomes for veterans seeking entitlements related to migraines and head trauma. The overarching aim of the notice is to ensure a thorough and inclusive investigation that benefits those affected by these conditions.