Statement of Principles concerning malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx No. 25 of 2011

Administered by Department of Veterans' Affairs

Legislation au F2011L00740 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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REPATRIATION MEDICAL AUTHORITY

 

INSTRUMENT NO. 25 of 2011

 

VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986

MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT 2004

 

EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR TABLING

 

 

  1. The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority), under subsection 196B(8) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA), revokes Instrument No. 167 of 1996, determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA concerning malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx.

 

2.             The Authority is of the view that there is sound medical-scientific evidence that indicates that malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx and death from malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx can be related to particular kinds of service.  The Authority has therefore determined pursuant to subsection 196B(2) of the VEA a Statement of Principles, Instrument No. 25 of 2011 concerning malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx.  This Instrument will in effect replace the revoked Statement of Principles.

 

3.             The provisions of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (the MRCA) relating to claims for compensation commenced on 1 July 2004.  Claims under section 319 of the MRCA for acceptance of liability for a service injury sustained, a service disease contracted or service death on or after 1 July 2004 are determined by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission by reference to Statements of Principles issued by the Authority pursuant to the VEA.

 

4.             The Statement of Principles sets out the factors that must as a minimum exist, and which of those factors must be related to the following kinds of service rendered by a person:

 

 operational service under the VEA;

 peacekeeping service under the VEA;

 hazardous service under the VEA;

 warlike service under the MRCA;

 non-warlike service under the MRCA,

 

before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx or death from malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx, with the circumstances of that service.

 

5.             This Instrument results from an investigation notified by the Authority in the Government Notices Gazette of 25 June 2008 concerning malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx in accordance with section 196G of the VEA.  The investigation involved an examination of the sound medical-scientific evidence now available to the Authority, including the sound medical-scientific evidence it has previously considered.

 

6.             The contents of this Instrument are in similar terms as the revoked Instrument.  Comparing this Instrument and the revoked Instrument, the differences include:

 

  • adopting the latest revised Instrument format, which commenced in 2005;
  • deleting the ICD code from the Instrument header;
  • revising the definition of 'malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx' in clause 3;
  • revising factor 6(a) concerning 'inhaling wood dust';
  • revising factor 6(b) concerning 'being infected with Epstein-Barr virus';
  • new factor 6(c) concerning 'being infected with human immunodeficiency virus';
  • revising factor 6(d) concerning 'smoking cigarettes';
  • revising factor 6(e) concerning 'exposure to mustard gas';
  • new factor 6(f) concerning 'drinking alcohol';
  • new factor 6(g) concerning 'inhaling formaldehyde';
  • new factor 6(h) concerning 'working in an environment where inhalational exposure to formaldehyde occurs';
  • new factor 6(i) concerning 'inhaling smoke from the combustion of wood, charcoal or coal';
  • new factor 6(j) concerning 'consumption of Chinese-style salted fish';
  • new factor 6(k) concerning 'weekly consumption of preserved vegetables';
  • new factor 6(l) concerning 'an inability to consume any combination of fresh fruit and vegetables';
  • revising factor 6(m) concerning 'inability to obtain appropriate clinical management';
  • new definitions of 'alcohol', 'Chinese-style salted fish', 'death from malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx', 'ICD-10-AM code', 'inhaling wood dust', 'pack-years of cigarettes, or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products', 'preserved vegetables' and 'terminal event' in clause 9;
  • revising definition of 'relevant service' in clause 9;
  • deleting definitions of 'being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus', 'being exposed to mustard gas', 'being heavily occupationally exposed to wood dust', 'ICD code', 'nasopharyngeal carcinoma' and 'pack-year'; and
  • specifying a date of effect for the Instrument in clause 11.

 

7.             Further changes to the format of the Instrument reflect the commencement of the MRCA and clarify that pursuant to subsection 196B(3A) of the VEA, the Statement of Principles has been determined for the purposes of both the VEA and the MRCA.

 

8.             Prior to determining this Instrument, the Authority advertised its intention to undertake an investigation in relation to malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx in the Government Notices Gazette of 25 June 2008, and circulated a copy of the notice of intention to investigate to a wide range of organisations representing veterans, service personnel and their dependants.  The Authority invited submissions from the Repatriation Commission, organisations and persons referred to in section 196E of the VEA, and any person having expertise in the field.  No submissions were received for consideration by the Authority during the investigation.

 

9.             The determining of this Instrument finalises the investigation in relation to malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx as advertised in the Government Notices Gazette of 25 June 2008.

 

10.         A list of references relating to the above condition is available to any person or organisation referred to in subsection 196E(1)(a) to (c) of the VEA.  Any such request must be made in writing to the Repatriation Medical Authority at the following address:

 

The Registrar

Repatriation Medical Authority Secretariat

GPO Box 1014

BRISBANE    QLD    4001

Overview

The Repatriation Medical Authority Instrument No. 25 of 2011, under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, was enacted to address the issue of malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx, particularly its relation to specific types of military service. This legislation was introduced to replace the previously revoked Instrument No. 167 of 1996, responding to new medical-scientific evidence that links certain military service conditions with malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx. The Authority, established under the VEA, determined a new Statement of Principles to provide clarity and consistency in the evaluation of related claims, ensuring that the criteria for acceptance of liability for service injuries are based on the latest available evidence. This Instrument also reflects the operational shift towards the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, under which claims for compensation are now assessed. The policy objective of this Instrument is to provide a comprehensive framework for determining the connection between malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx and military service, ensuring that veterans and their dependents receive appropriate compensation where a reasonable hypothesis exists linking their condition to their service. The Repatriation Medical Authority, acting under the authority granted by the Parliament, aims to achieve this by establishing clear and updated medical-scientific criteria, facilitating a fair and evidence-based assessment process.

Scope and Application

The Repatriation Medical Authority Instrument No. 25 of 2011, established under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, addresses malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx, replacing Instrument No. 167 of 1996. This Instrument applies to veterans and service personnel who have served in operational, peacekeeping, hazardous, warlike, or non-warlike service, and who are seeking compensation related to malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx or death from this condition. It is applicable across Australia and is effective for claims made on or after 1 July 2004, as determined by the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission using the new Statement of Principles. The Instrument outlines the specific service-related factors that must be considered when connecting malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx with the circumstances of the service. The Authority has updated the format of the Instrument to align with the MRCA and has incorporated new medical-scientific evidence, including revised definitions and factors related to exposure and risk, such as exposure to certain viruses, chemicals, and dietary habits. The Authority advertised its intention to investigate and finalised the investigation by determining this new Instrument, which is now available for review by relevant parties.

Key Provisions

The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) has issued Instrument No. 25 of 2011 under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA), replacing Instrument No. 167 of 1996 regarding malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx. This new Instrument outlines a Statement of Principles that identifies factors that, if present, establish a reasonable hypothesis that malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx or death from this condition is related to certain kinds of military service. These services include operational, peacekeeping, hazardous, warlike, and non-warlike service, as defined by both the VEA and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). The Instrument incorporates the latest format and terminology, updates the definition of 'malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx', and revises several factors and definitions related to exposure and service conditions that might be linked to the condition. The Statement of Principles imposes specific obligations on claimants by detailing the necessary factors that must be demonstrated to link their malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx or death from this condition to their service. Claimants must provide evidence that connects their condition to one or more of the identified factors, such as exposure to certain substances or inability to obtain appropriate clinical management, and that these factors occurred during the relevant service. Additionally, the Authority requires that claims for compensation for injuries or diseases sustained on or after 1 July 2004 be assessed in accordance with the new Statement of Principles. Failure to comply with the requirements set out in the Statement of Principles can result in significant consequences. Under the VEA and MRCA, there are provisions for both civil and criminal penalties for providing false or misleading information in support of a claim. The maximum penalties for providing false or misleading information can include fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offence. Claimants found to have deliberately provided false information could face both civil and criminal sanctions, which may include fines and imprisonment. The Instrument also clarifies the administrative processes for claims under the VEA and MRCA, ensuring that the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission uses the new Statement of Principles for assessing claims. By determining the new Statement of Principles, the Authority has finalised the investigation into malignant neoplasm of the nasopharynx, which was advertised in the Government Notices Gazette on 25 June 2008. This finalisation ensures that all future claims will be evaluated according to the updated medical-scientific evidence and criteria established in this Instrument.

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