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 timeframes limiting:
- severe traumatic stressors; and
- psychosocial stressors,
as factors in suicide and attempted suicide.
This investigation will be carried out in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 65 & 66 of 2016 concerning suicide and attempted suicide.
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 6 December 2016.
Persons and organisations wishing to make a submission can use the RMA website [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 2 December 2016.
The Common Seal of the )
Repatriation Medical Authority )
was affixed at the direction of: )
PROFESSOR NICHOLAS SAUNDERS AO
CHAIRPERSON 16/9/2016
Overview
The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 was enacted to provide entitlements and benefits to veterans and their families, aiming to address the needs arising from service-related disabilities or injuries. The Act was introduced to fill a gap in recognising and supporting those who have served in the Australian Defence Force. This legislation is overseen by the Parliament of Australia and its policy objective is to ensure that veterans and their families receive appropriate recognition and support for any injuries or disabilities incurred during their service. As part of its ongoing commitment to improving veterans' benefits, the Repatriation Medical Authority has announced an investigation into the timeframes that limit the recognition of severe traumatic and psychosocial stressors as factors in suicide and attempted suicide, particularly in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 65 & 66 of 2016. The Authority invites relevant stakeholders, including veterans, organisations representing veterans, and experts in relevant fields, to submit written contributions to this investigation by 2 December 2016.
Scope and Application
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 mandates the Repatriation Medical Authority to investigate timeframes limiting severe traumatic stressors and psychosocial stressors as factors in suicide and attempted suicide. This investigation is directed under Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 65 & 66 of 2016. The scope of the Act encompasses individuals eligible to make claims for pension under Part II or Part IV of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, persons eligible for compensation under section 319 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing veterans, Australian mariners, members of the Forces, members of the Peacekeeping Forces, members within the meaning of the MRCA, or their dependants, and experts in relevant fields. The Authority solicits written submissions from these stakeholders, with the deadline for submission set for 2 December 2016. Submissions can be made electronically via the RMA website, by email, or by post, with guidelines available online. The Authority's first meeting for this investigation is scheduled for 6 December 2016.
Key Provisions
Section 196G of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 provides the legislative framework for the investigation by the Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) into the timeframes of severe traumatic stressors and psychosocial stressors as factors in suicide and attempted suicide. The Authority intends to conduct this investigation in the context of Statements of Principles Instrument Nos. 65 and 66 of 2016, which pertain to suicide and attempted suicide. This investigation aims to review and potentially revise the criteria under which veterans and related groups may claim entitlements related to these stressors.
The Authority, pursuant to section 196G, invites written submissions from a range of stakeholders. These include individuals eligible to claim pensions under Part II or Part IV of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, those eligible to claim compensation under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, organisations representing various groups of veterans and their dependents, the Repatriation Commission or the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, and experts in fields relevant to the investigation. The Authority encourages these stakeholders to submit their views and supporting information by 2 December 2016, either through the RMA website, email, or postal mail, as specified in the notice.
The obligations imposed by the Act on the relevant parties are to submit written submissions by the specified deadline. The Authority is mandated to consider these submissions and use them to inform its investigation. The stakeholders are expected to provide relevant information and perspectives that may influence the Authority's understanding and evaluation of the factors involved in the entitlements related to severe traumatic and psychosocial stressors. The RMA Submission Guidelines are available to assist in preparing these submissions.
There are no explicit offences or penalties mentioned in the text for failure to comply with the submission requirements. However, the Authority's investigation and the potential outcomes could have significant implications for claimants, as revisions to the Statements of Principles could affect their eligibility for entitlements. The notice does not specify civil or criminal consequences for non-compliance but implies that adherence to the submission process is crucial for stakeholders to have their voices heard in the investigation.