Wednesday, 30 June 2004

Dr J Carroll

Dear Dr Carroll

Further to my representations to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs on your behalf, following up on the petitions tabled in Parliament and on the Rapke Report, I have now received further information and correspondence from the Minister regarding these matters and I enclose a copy of the Ministers letter for your information.

John, the Minister has forwarded my correspondence in relation to two of the petitions regarding the search for the HMAS Sydney 2 and the alleged bastardisation of junior sailors on HMAS Sydney 3 to The Hon Mal Brough, Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, for response, as these petitions fall within his portfolio responsibilities. I will forward any correspondence I receive on these petitions to you.

With regard to the other petition tabled concerning mortality rates amongst members of the RAN who served in the Logistic support role and those that served as Clearance Divers serving aboard HMAS Sydney and her escorting destroyers and frigates, the Minister has indicated that the Department of Veterans Affairs is currently undertaking the Third Vietnam Veterans Mortality Study and Cancer Incidence in Vietnam Veterans Study. Exposure to potable water is part of these studies, and both studies should be completed around the end of the year.

As suggested in your petition John, the Minister has also formed a Consultative Forum.

In relation to my request for a full copy of the Rapke report the Minister has provided me with a Hansard transcript (Mr Barnard Minister for Defence, May 28, 1975) explaining why the full Report is unavailable to the public. John, I can advise you as follows : 

"The enquiry was conducted in camera as to do otherwise would defeat the whole concept if the young lads interviewed during the enquiry felt that they were speaking on the record. The judge's findings were made public but the report itself was kept confidential as it included the names of children, events, times and places, which should not be made public. This was in line with most juvenile courts procedures when dealing with youthful offenders or suspects whereby the accused and witnesses are protected from publicity. At that time, I, as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, was given access to the Report and I accepted the reasons for which it was not being made public. These reasons are still valid."

John, I hope this information is of assistance to you and I thank you for giving your valuable time to pursue these matters.

Yours sincerely

CHRIS PEARCE