Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA087
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Statement on Rex Crane
This statement is regarding the article on Rex Crane in the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age
and the West Australian published today, Saturday 3 October 2009.
I am aware of Mr Crane’s case and have been briefed by my Department.
I have directed my Department to refer this case to the Australian Federal Police. This occurred
on Thursday, 1 October 2009.
This is a very serious matter.
I know these allegations will be distressing for the veteran community and I fully understand
why. Those who have sacrificed so much for our country are rightly outraged when fraud of this
nature occurs.
Personally, I think for anyone to impersonate a prisoner of war is disgusting. It is a betrayal of
all the values our veterans stand for.
I have very strong feelings about this and need to stress the gravity of the situation.
My Department works hard to protect the repatriation system and ensure people who deserve
entitlements are those who are actually getting them. There are reasons why we are so strict
with the operation of the system and why some claims take time to examine.
Should these allegations be proven, it will illustrate to what lengths some individuals will go to to
defraud our system and the large amounts of money that can be involved.
This matter should be pursued to the fullest extent of the law and I am confident that the AFP
will do so.
I eagerly await the outcome of that investigation.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Media inquiries: Sasha Nimmo 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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