REPATRIATION MEDICAL AUTHORITY

INSTRUMENT NO. 39 of 1996 - Revocation

VETERANS’ ENTITLEMENTS ACT 1986

MILITARY REHABILITATION AND COMPENSATION ACT 2004

EXPLANATORY NOTES FOR TABLING

1. The Repatriation Medical Authority (the Authority) is of the view that metatarsalgia is not a "disease" or "injury" as defined in section 5D of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (the VEA).  The Authority has therefore determined, under subsection 196B(9) of the VEA and subsection 33(3) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901, a Statement of Principles, Instrument No. 39 of 1996 – Revocation, concerning metatarsalgia.  This Instrument revokes the existing Statement of Principles, Instrument No. 39 of 1996, determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA, concerning metatarsalgia.

2.      This Instrument also specifies a date of effect for the revocation in accordance with sub-section 12(1)(a) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

3.      Prior to determining this Instrument, the Authority advertised its intention to undertake an investigation in relation to metatarsalgia 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.

4.      On 29 October 2010, the Authority wrote to organisations representing veterans, service personnel and their dependants regarding the proposed Instrument and the medical-scientific material considered by the Authority. This letter emphasised that the Authority is of the view that metatarsalgia is not a "disease" or "injury" as defined in section 5D of the VEA. The Authority provided an opportunity to the organisations to make representations in relation to the proposed Instrument prior to its determination. No submissions were received for consideration by the Authority.

5.      The determining of this Instrument finalises the investigation in relation to metatarsalgia as advertised in the Government Notices Gazette of 25 June 2008.

6.      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