Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014

Administered by Department of Veterans' Affairs

Legislation au C2014A00005 In force Act

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Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014

 

No. 5, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

An Act to amend the law relating to veterans’ affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation, and for other purposes

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedule(s)

Schedule 1—Amendments

Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006

Defence Service Homes Act 1918

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

Social Security Act 1991

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920

 

 

 

Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014

No. 5, 2014

 

 

 

An Act to amend the law relating to veterans’ affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation, and for other purposes

[Assented to 28 February 2014]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1  Short title

  This Act may be cited as the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014.

2  Commencement

  This Act commences on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent.

3  Schedule(s)

  Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Amendments

 

Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006

1  Subsection 19(2)

Omit “the person”, substitute “the attendant”.

2  After subsection 19(2)

Insert:

 (2A) An approval under paragraph (1)(b) or an authorisation under paragraph (2)(b) may be given before or after the travel is completed.

3  Paragraph 20(1)(a)

Omit “this section”, substitute “section 19”.

Defence Service Homes Act 1918

4  Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (gb) of the definition of Australian Soldier)

Omit “or 14”, substitute “, 14 or 15”.

5  Application provision

The amendment made by item 4 applies for the purposes of determining a person’s status as an eligible person for the purposes of the Defence Service Homes Act 1918 on or after the commencement of that item.

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004

6  Subsection 8(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

7  Subsection 11(2)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

8  Section 65

Omit:

Part 7 provides for additional compensation and benefits to be provided, such as compensation to modify vehicles, and compensation for household and attendant care services and damage to a member’s medical aid. Part 7 also provides for an allowance to pay for a current or former member’s home phone.

substitute:

Part 7 provides for additional compensation and benefits to be provided, such as compensation to modify vehicles, and compensation for household and attendant care services and damage to a member’s medical aid. Part 7 also provides for the payment of MRCA supplement.

9  Subsection 67(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

10  Subsection 79(3)

Omit “in writing by the Minister”, substitute “by the Minister by legislative instrument”.

11  Subsection 79(4)

Repeal the subsection.

12  Subsection 210(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

13  Section 211

Omit:

An allowance to pay for a home phone is provided under Division 4 for those who have suffered a serious impairment from a service injury or disease.

substitute:

MRCA supplement is provided under Division 4.

14  Subsection 212(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

15  Section 232

Omit:

The partner might be entitled to an allowance to pay for his or her home phone under Division 5.

substitute:

The partner might be entitled to MRCA supplement under Division 5.

16  Subsection 258(5)

After “the determination”, insert “, variation or revocation”.

17  Subsection 258(6)

Omit “that has been approved by the Minister is a disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “prepared by the Commission and approved by the Minister is a legislative instrument made by the Minister on the day on which the determination, variation or revocation is approved”.

18  Section 288

Omit:

Division 4 provides for an allowance to pay for pharmaceutical benefits for those who are entitled to treatment under Part 3 of this Chapter.

substitute:

Division 4 provides for MRCA supplement for those who are entitled to treatment under Part 3 of this Chapter.

19  Subsection 328(6)

Omit “notice in writing”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

20  Subsection 328(7)

Repeal the subsection.

21  Subsection 340(4) (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

Determination is a legislative instrument

22  Subsection 340(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

23  Subsection 424(1)

Omit “prescribed by the regulations”, substitute “prescribed in a legislative instrument made by the Commission for the purposes of this subsection”.

24  Subsection 431(4)

Omit “disallowable instrument for the purposes of section 46A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901”, substitute “legislative instrument”.

Social Security Act 1991

25  Paragraphs 87(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

26  Paragraphs 146L(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

27  Paragraphs 514F(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

28  Paragraphs 567E(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

29  Paragraphs 592E(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

30  Paragraphs 660LF(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

31  Paragraphs 728PF(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

32  Paragraphs 768F(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

33  Paragraphs 771NZ(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

34  Paragraphs 827(1)(b) and (2)(b)

After “Part III”, insert “or IIIA”.

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986

35  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with capitalised maintenance income)

Repeal the entry.

36  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with cash maintenance)

Repeal the entry.

37  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with child support)

Repeal the entry.

38  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with disability expenses maintenance)

Omit “5K(5)”, substitute “5K”.

39  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with inkind housing maintenance)

Repeal the entry.

40  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with investment)

Omit “5J(6), (6A)”, substitute “5J(1), (6), (6A) and (6B)”.

41  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with maintained child)

Repeal the entry.

42  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with maintenance)

Omit “5K(1)”, substitute “5K”.

43  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with maintenance agreement)

Repeal the entry.

44  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with maintenance income)

Omit “5K(1)”, substitute “5K”.

45  Section 5 (index of definitions)

Insert:

social security law

5Q(1)

46  Section 5 (index of definitions, entry dealing with special maintenance income)

Repeal the entry.

47  Subsection 5H(1) (note 1 at the end of the definition of ordinary income)

Omit “subsection 5K(1)”, substitute “section 5K”.

48  Paragraph 5H(12)(a)

Omit “subsection 5K(1A)”, substitute “subsection (13)”.

49  At the end of section 5H

Add:

 (13) An amount is a periodic amount if it is:

 (a) the amount of one payment in a series of related payments, even if the payments are irregular in time and amount; or

 (b) the amount of a payment making up for arrears in such a series.

50  Section 5K

Repeal the section, substitute:

5K  Maintenance income definitions

  In this Act, the expressions disability expenses maintenance, maintenance and maintenance income have the same respective meanings as in the Family Assistance Act.

51  Subsection 5Q(1)

Insert:

social security law means:

 (a) the Social Security Act 1991; and

 (b) the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999; and

 (c) any other Act that is expressed to form part of the social security law.

52  Division 10 of Part IIIB

Repeal the Division.

53  Subsection 86(5)

After “for that injury”, insert “or disease”.

54  Paragraph 98(4B)(b)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (b) would be payable to a person because the person is caring for the veteran, apart from:

 (i) the payment being suspended under the social security law; or

 (ii) the rate of the payment being nil because of action taken in relation to the payment under Chapter 5 of the Social Security Act 1991 (about overpayments and debt recovery).

55  Subsection 106(1)

Omit “prescribed”, substitute “prescribed in a legislative instrument made by the Commission for the purposes of this subsection”.

56  Paragraph 110(2)(b)

Omit “authorizes”, substitute “authorises”.

57  After subsection 110(2)

Insert:

 (2A) An approval under subsection (1) or an authorisation under paragraph (2)(b) may be given before or after the travel is completed.

58  Subsection 110(4)

Omit “authorize”, substitute “authorise”.

59  Paragraph 205(1)(a)

Omit “a provision of this Act or of the Regulations”, substitute “this Act, the regulations or any other legislative instrument made under this Act”.

60  Point SCH6C13 of Schedule 6 (method statement, step 6)

Omit “0.4”, substitute “0.5”.

61  Application and saving provisions

(1) The amendment made by item 54 applies in relation to working out if attendant allowance is payable to a veteran in respect of days occurring on or after the day that item commences.

(2) Regulations in force for the purposes of subsection 106(1) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 immediately before the commencement of this item have effect after that commencement as if they were a legislative instrument made by the Commission under that subsection.

(3) The amendment made by item 59 applies in relation to failures or omissions occurring on or after the day after that item commences.

War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920

62  Title

Omit “repeal the War Precautions Act 1914–1918 and to provide for certain matters arising out of such repeal, and for other purposes”, substitute “provide for the protection of the word ‘Anzac’, and for related purposes”.

63  Section 1

Omit “War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920”, substitute “Protection of Word ‘Anzac’ Act 1920”.

Note: This item amends the short title of the Act. If another amendment of the Act is described by reference to the Act’s previous short title, that other amendment has effect after the commencement of this item as an amendment of the Act under its amended short title (see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901).

64  Section 2

Repeal the section.

65  Before section 11

Omit:

Amendments of Crimes Act 19141915

66  Sections 11 to 13

Repeal the sections.

67  Before section 22

Omit:

Loans

Miscellaneous

 

 

 

 

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 12 December 2013

Senate on 12 February 2014]

 

(237/13)

 

Overview

The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014 was enacted by the Parliament of Australia to amend various laws relating to veterans’ affairs, military rehabilitation, and compensation, addressing several gaps and issues within the existing legal framework. The Act provides a comprehensive set of amendments to existing legislation, including the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006, Defence Service Homes Act 1918, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Social Security Act 1991, Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, and War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920. The overarching policy objective of this Act is to enhance the support and benefits provided to veterans and their families, ensuring they receive appropriate compensation and assistance for injuries and diseases sustained during their service. By updating and clarifying the legal definitions and provisions, the Act aims to streamline the administration of veterans' benefits and support systems. The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014 ensures that the legislative instruments and approvals related to veterans' affairs are clearly defined and consistently applied. It also includes amendments to the Social Security Act 1991 to ensure that veterans' entitlements are properly integrated with social security laws. Furthermore, the Act modifies the definitions and allowances within the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 to better reflect the current needs of veterans and their families. Through these amendments, the Act aims to address inconsistencies, remove outdated provisions, and enhance the overall effectiveness of the legal framework supporting veterans and their families.

Scope and Application

The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014 applies to various Acts related to veterans' affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation, including the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006, Defence Service Homes Act 1918, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004, Social Security Act 1991, Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986, and War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920. The Act primarily targets entities and individuals involved in veterans' affairs, military rehabilitation, and compensation, as well as those who have participated in British nuclear tests or have served in the defence forces. It also applies to Commonwealth entities involved in administering veterans' benefits and compensation. The Act has a national jurisdictional reach as it is a Commonwealth Act. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions in the text, though some provisions are subject to legislative instruments. Subordinate instruments may extend or restrict the application of certain provisions as detailed in the Act, particularly those related to legislative instruments replacing former disallowable instruments.

Key Provisions

The Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Act 2014 makes several amendments to existing legislation concerning veterans' affairs and military rehabilitation and compensation. The Act amends the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act 2006 by changing the definition of "the person" to "the attendant" in subsection 19(2), and allows approvals or authorisations to be given before or after travel is completed under subsection 19(2A). It also modifies the Defence Service Homes Act 1918 by extending the definition of "Australian Soldier" to include those aged 15, and specifies that these amendments apply for determining eligibility on or after the commencement of the item. The Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 sees several changes where "disallowable instrument" is replaced with "legislative instrument" in various subsections, and certain compensation and benefits descriptions are updated. The Social Security Act 1991 is amended to include references to Part IIIA in various paragraphs. The Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 undergoes significant changes, including the repeal of certain definitions and the introduction of new ones, as well as amendments to various subsections and paragraphs to align with the legislative instrument framework. Entities and parties governed by these Acts are now required to adhere to the legislative instruments as specified by the Minister or the Commission, instead of the previous disallowable instruments. Failure to comply with these legislative requirements may result in civil or administrative penalties as outlined in the respective Acts. For instance, the War Precautions Act Repeal Act 1920 is renamed and amended to focus on the protection of the word "Anzac," which may carry specific penalties for misuse under the new Act.

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Area of Law
Veterans’ Affairs
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Repeal & Amendment
Delegated & Subordinate Legislation
Licensing & Registration
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.