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- This year saw the first change in the Repatriation Medical
Authority (RMA) membership since it was established in 1994. Professor John Kaldor,
from the University of New South Wales, replaced Professor Richard Heller. The RMA
wishes to recognise the major role played by Professor Heller in establishing the
scientific decision making processes of the RMA and to wish him well as Professor
of Public Health in Manchester.
- In July 2000 the RMA hosted a workshop concerning scientific
studies on the health of Gulf War veterans. The workshop was attended by Gulf War
veterans, members of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Australian Gulf War
Veteransí Health Study, members of the Compensation and Research Working Party, staff
of the Department of Veteransí Affairs (DVA) and RMA members. The workshop was addressed
by several speakers including two invited international experts, Dr Frances Murphy
from the US Veteransí Affairs Health Program and Dr John Graham UK Gulf War Health
Liaison Officer stationed in Washington.
- The RMA was represented at a conference in Washington in
January 2001 when the latest research on Gulf War issues was presented by researchers
from USA, Canada and Britain.
- The amendments to the Veteransí Entitlements Act 1986
(VEA) in February 2001 gave effect to the recommendations of the Pearce Report
to clarify the powers of the RMA in relation to the conduct of reviews of Statements
of Principles. The amendments agreed by Parliament and the ex-service organisations
(ESOs) mean that the RMA may decide not to conduct an investigation for the purpose
of a review of a Statement of Principles if the person or ESO requesting the review
does not state the grounds on which the review is sought; or does not identify sufficient
relevant information to support the grounds on which the review is sought or to otherwise
justify the review; or the request is vexatious or frivolous.
This restatement of the RMAís powers will be of assistance
to both the RMA and the ex-service community in administering the large number of
requests for review of Statements of Principles that are dealt with by the RMA.
During 2000-2001, the RMA was able to reduce the number
of advertised investigations on hand from 36 to 32. The RMA has now determined more
than 1000 instruments in respect of Statements of Principles since its inception.
- In November 2000, Dr Alex Bordujenko (Principal Medical
Officer at the RMA Secretariat) and I, along with representatives from DVA, visited
Australian members of the Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) based in Bougainville. At
the time of our visit, the PMG was a multinational force with representatives drawn
from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu.
The visit was a very positive experience largely due to
the assistance and co-operation we received from the Defence Force personnel we met
at Buka, Loloho and Arawa.
- The RMA accepted an invitation to have a member on the
Consultative Forum which has been established in relation to the health study of
personnel involved in the F111 Fuel Tank Deseal/Reseal Program.
- The RMA sent a representative to a conference in Quebec
on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in May 2001. The conference was sponsored by the
Canadian Department of National Defence. The information presented will assist the
RMA in its current investigation into multiple chemical sensitivity.
- The RMA Members are part of an Expert Committee, appointed
on behalf of the Minister for Veteransí Affairs, to examine the medical scientific
evidence on the possible health effects from exposure of Australian Defence Force
(ADF) personnel to depleted uranium munitions used in the Balkans. The first part
of a two stage report is due by 31 July 2001.
- The RMA welcomed Errol Davis to the position of Registrar
of the Secretariat during this period and would like to extend thanks to him for
the smooth transition and his effective support of the RMA members.
This page last updated 10 April 2002.
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