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 panic disorder; and
- mefloquine,
as a factor in panic disorder.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 68 & 69 of 2009 concerning panic 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, enacted to provide various benefits and compensation to veterans and their families, addresses gaps in support and recognition for service-related health issues. The Act was introduced by the Parliament of Australia with the objective of ensuring that veterans who have suffered health conditions due to their service receive appropriate entitlements and support. Recently, the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has given notice under section 196G of the Act to conduct an investigation into the definition of panic disorder and the potential role of mefloquine as a contributing factor. This investigation is being undertaken in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 68 & 69 of 2009 concerning panic disorder. The Authority has invited submissions from relevant parties, including veterans, organisations representing veterans and their dependants, and experts in relevant fields, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. The first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 1 December 2015, with written submissions due by 20 November 2015.
Scope and Application
The notice of investigation issued by the Repatriation Medical Authority under section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 pertains to the definition of panic disorder and the role of mefloquine as a factor in panic disorder, within the context of Statements of Principles Instruments Nos. 68 & 69 of 2009. This investigation is applicable to individuals eligible for pension claims under Part II or Part IV of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, those eligible for compensation claims under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans or related groups, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and any individuals with relevant expertise. The geographic reach of the investigation is not explicitly limited but is presumably tied to the jurisdictional scope of the Acts mentioned. The notice invites submissions from interested parties, which must be submitted in writing by 20 November 2015. The Repatriation Medical Authority will convene its first meeting on 1 December 2015 to discuss the investigation. The application and scope of the investigation may be further defined through subordinate instruments, although specific details of such instruments are not provided in the notice.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) requires the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) to provide notice of an intended investigation into the definition of panic disorder and the role of mefloquine as a contributing factor in panic disorder. This investigation is specifically in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 68 & 69 of 2009. The Authority invites written submissions from various stakeholders, including those eligible for pensions or compensation under the VEA or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), organisations representing veterans or members of the armed forces, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts relevant to the investigation. Submissions are due by 20 November 2015, with the first meeting for the investigation scheduled for 1 December 2015.
The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs. Eligible individuals and organisations are required to submit written submissions by the specified deadline. This includes veterans, members of the armed forces, their representatives, and experts in relevant fields. The Authority, as the governing body, must conduct the investigation in accordance with the provisions of section 196G, ensuring that the investigation is comprehensive and considers all relevant submissions. The Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, if submitting, must provide input based on their expertise and responsibilities under the VEA and MRCA.
Failure to comply with the requirements of the Act may result in civil or criminal consequences. While the specific penalties are not outlined in the text, breaches of statutory requirements under the VEA can lead to various legal repercussions. The Authority may face administrative penalties for not adhering to the legislative requirements for conducting the investigation, while individuals and organisations who fail to submit relevant information could be subject to fines or other legal actions. The severity of the penalties would depend on the nature and extent of the breach, as determined by the relevant authorities.