Specialist Medical Review Council - Notification of Intention to carry out a review for Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Overview

The Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986, enacted by the Australian Parliament, was established to provide for the entitlement of veterans and their families to pensions and other benefits. The Act was introduced to address the need for a comprehensive legislative framework that recognises and supports the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. The Specialist Medical Review Council, under section 196Y of the Act, has been tasked with reviewing the contents of Statements of Principles Nos. 01 and 02 of 2022 made by the Repatriation Medical Authority regarding Hashimoto thyroiditis. This review aims to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information used to determine, amend, or last amend the Statements of Principles in respect of posttraumatic stress disorder as a factor in Hashimoto thyroiditis. The Council has notified its intention to carry out a review under section 196W of the Act and invites written submissions from relevant stakeholders by 27 November 2022. The Council will hold its first meeting for this review after this date, with further details regarding the hearing of oral submissions to be provided to those who make written submissions.

Scope and Application

The Specialist Medical Review Council, established under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, has announced its intention to review Statements of Principles Nos. 01 and 02 of 2022 made by the Repatriation Medical Authority regarding Hashimoto thyroiditis. This review aims to evaluate all information available to the Repatriation Medical Authority when it determined, amended, or last amended the Statements of Principles concerning posttraumatic stress disorder as a factor in Hashimoto thyroiditis. The review process is specifically targeted towards entities and individuals involved in veterans’ entitlements and compensation claims, including the Repatriation Commission, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, individuals eligible for pension claims under the Act, individuals eligible for compensation claims under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, and organisations representing veterans and their dependants. Submissions are invited from these stakeholders and must be submitted by 27 November 2022. The Council will convene its first meeting post this submission date, and details for oral submissions will be communicated to the requesting parties and those submitting written submissions.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this Gazette relate to the Specialist Medical Review Council's (Council) intention to carry out a review of Statements of Principles Nos. 01 and 02 of 2022 concerning hashimoto thyroiditis (section 196ZB). Under section 196Y of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (the Act), the Council intends to review all information available to the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) when it determined, amended, or last amended the Statements of Principles in respect of posttraumatic stress disorder as a factor in hashimoto thyroiditis (section 196W). The Council invites certain persons or organisations, including the Repatriation Commission, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, eligible claimants, and organisations representing veterans, to make written submissions. These submissions must be received by 27 November 2022. The Council will then hold its first meeting to hear oral submissions complementing written submissions. The location, date, and time of the meeting will be advised to the persons and organisations that have asked for the review and those that make written submissions. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on the parties and entities it governs. The Council is required to provide notice of its intention to carry out the review (section 196ZB). The invited persons and organisations must submit written submissions by the specified deadline (27 November 2022). These submissions should be lodged with the Council Secretariat, PO Box 965, Brisbane, QLD 4001, or emailed to SMRC.Registrar@smrc.gov.au. Additionally, the Council must hold its first meeting for the purposes of this review after the deadline for written submissions. For advice on the preparation of written submissions, interested parties can contact the Council Secretariat at SMRC.Registrar@smrc.gov.au or via the website www.smrc.gov.au. Under the Act, there are no specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breach stated in this Gazette. However, failure to meet the obligations and requirements set out in the Gazette, such as not submitting written submissions by the deadline, could potentially lead to the Council not considering relevant information, which may affect the outcome of the review. The Gazette does not mention any maximum penalties for non-compliance with these requirements.