MILITARY COMPENSATION REVIEW REPORT RELEASED
Delivering on an
Australian Government election commitment, the Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, today announced the release of
the Review of Military Compensation Arrangements report and
called for feedback from defence and veteran communities.
“The health and
wellbeing of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, veterans and
their families, is a high priority for this Government, and this
Review is important in determining how we can continually improve
the provision of military rehabilitation and compensation.
“The Review of Military Compensation Arrangements
determined that the current scheme relating to rehabilitation and
compensation for service personnel and their families was based on
sound principles, but that some improvements could be made.
“This Review is
a significant step by the Government towards addressing concerns
raised about military rehabilitation and compensation legislation
that was introduced in 2004. The Steering Committee reported that
there are no fundamental flaws in what is a complex and relatively
new scheme,” Mr Snowdon said.
The Review
report made 108 recommendations covering a wide range of issues
raised in public submissions and consultations.
In summary, of the 108 recommendations:
o
28
call for legislative change
o
25
focussed on administration
o
12
call for policy review and 11 call for further work to be
undertaken
o
25
of the recommendations are for no change and 7 support current
initiatives.
Mr Snowdon said
that four of the recommendations featured two options each and
this reflected the divergence of views among members of the Review
Steering Committee on a few specific issues relating to aspects of
compensation and access to health care.
“That is not
unusual given that a number of government agencies with differing
perspectives and roles were represented on the Steering Committee.
“It is also not
unexpected given the complexity and sensitivity of the issues and
that is why feedback from the defence and veteran communities will
be important to consider.”
Mr Snowdon said
the report is now being released for comment until 30 June 2011.
“The report is detailed and substantial, so to ensure there is
sufficient time for the defence and veteran communities to study
its contents, there will be more than three months for interested
parties to provide input.
“The Government
will provide its response once this consultation process is
complete.
“I would like to
thank the Steering Committee for its hard work during the course
of the Review.”
The full report
and its recommendations can be found on the
DVA website.
Background information on the Review is on the
DVA Media
Centre.
Media inquiries:
Minister Snowdon: Alice Plate 0400 045
999
Department of
Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289 6203