Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA060
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
NEXT STEP FOR REVIEW OF MILITARY COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, announced that the Review of Military Compensation
Arrangements’ steering committee has been appointed, and met yesterday to commence its
consideration of almost 50 submissions from the service and ex-service communities.
“The appointment of this steering committee is the next step toward delivering the Government’s
election commitment to review the current military rehabilitation and compensation arrangements,”
Mr Griffin said.
“The steering committee members combine an extensive knowledge of veterans’ entitlements,
rehabilitation, safety and compensation law and policy.”
The review’s steering committee is chaired by Ian Campbell, Chair of the Military Rehabilitation and
Compensation Commission. Its members are: Major General Craig Orme, Department of Defence;
Ms Peta Furnell, The Treasury; Ms Joan Ross, Department of Finance and Deregulation; Ms
Michelle Baxter, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; and Peter
Sutherland, an independent expert in military rehabilitation and compensation law and a Visiting
Fellow at the Australian National University College of Law.
“We need to ensure that the experiences of those who have been through the military rehabilitation
and compensation system are considered as part of the Review, and I am grateful to those
organisations and individuals who have made submissions,” Mr Griffin said.
The next stage of investigations and consultations will include visits to Defence Force facilities and
consultations with current and former members of the Australian Defence Force, ex-service
organisations, key agencies and other stakeholders. The Prime Ministerial Advisory Council on Ex-
service matters and the Ex-Service Roundtable will also be consulted for their views during the
Review process.
“The Review is critical in identifying solutions for wider concerns relating to military rehabilitation and
compensation. It is a significant step by the Government towards addressing concerns with military
rehabilitation and compensation legislation and the administration of the schemes.”
The Review is examining the adequacy and suitability of military rehabilitation and compensation
arrangements including perceived disparities and inequities between legislative schemes. Its terms
of reference and further information about committee members can be found on the review web
page from links at www.dva.gov.au. The Review is expected to report to Government in the first half
of 2010, subject to the complexity of the matters raised.
Media inquiries: Belinda Cole 0437 863 109
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a
week on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
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