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Ministerial Opening AddressThe Hon Danna Vale MP Repatriation Medical Authority Forum Good morning, everyone. I'd like to acknowledge Professor Ken Donald and members of the Repatriation Medical Authority and the RMA Secretariat staff, Dr Jonathan Phillips and members of the Specialist Medical Review Council, Dr Neil Johnston and members of the Repatriation Commission, Brigadier Bill Rolfe, Principal Member of the Veterans' Review Board, Ex-Service Organisation leaders, and ladies and gentlemen. It is a great privilege for me to join you today, to celebrate the achievements of the Repatriation Medical Authority. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the RMA. In just a decade the Authority has established itself as an integral and respected agency in our world class repatriation system. The RMA was established in 1994 in response to audit findings that the veteran disability compensation system was suffering from a lack of consistency in its decision-making. The introduction of Statements of Principles in 1994 by the RMA, was intended to provide a firm foundation to ensure not only that payments were generous, but that veterans were treated consistently and fairly. The RMA has developed SOPs based on sound scientific evidence and has worked to ensure the SOPs evolve as new studies emerge on the health factors affecting our servicemen and women. Ten years on, the combination of the SOPs, expert computer systems developed by DVA - and a commitment to training staff and ex-service pensions officers - has delivered an enviable system for delivering compensation that meets the needs of disabled veterans. Processing times for primary claims have fallen and processing costs are down - both an indication that the job is being done more efficiently. There has been a significant improvement in the quality of decision-making and a notable reduction in rates of appeal for review of decisions - meaning that the job is being done more effectively. Importantly, the partnership between the RMA, DVA and Ex-Service Organisations also has strengthened veteran confidence in the integrity and fairness of the compensation claims system. When caring for veterans it is necessary to strike a balance between the generous support that the community expects for those who have served our nation, and a certain amount of rigour in applying legislative provisions. While no system can be perfect, the arrangements we have in place today mean that veterans can have high levels of confidence that they are being treated consistently. A great deal of credit for the RMA's success must go to Professor Ken Donald. Professor Donald has chaired the authority since its inception and his expertise, experience and dedication to the RMA's work are greatly valued by the Government. I would also like to express my appreciation to the RMA members and their Secretariat staff, many of whom are also celebrating their 10th anniversary with the authority this year. But while we are celebrating a significant milestone, that doesn't mean that we will be resting on our laurels. In 2004, the repatriation system is poised to enter a new stage of its evolution, with the establishment of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme. This will be a landmark moment in the history of Australian repatriation - the creation of a single scheme designed to meet the care and compensation needs of both serving members of the Australian Defence Force and the next generation of veterans. I am looking forward to its speedy passage so that we can carry forward our intention to commence the new scheme
from the One of the most important elements of the scheme will be the inclusion of the RMA's Statements of Principles as the determining instrument for compensation claims. The inclusion of SOPs in the new scheme followed extensive consultation with veterans and serving members and reflects their successful use under the VEA. While this decision has generally been welcomed by those who have played an active role in the development of the legislation, I would like to address concerns raised recently in the legal profession that the use of SOPs will make it more difficult for ADF members to obtain compensation for injuries suffered on peacetime service. This quite clearly is not the case. Statements of Principles already deal with all forms of service, from peacetime to warlike service. They could even be used in civilian compensation cases, as the RMA investigates all possible causal factors for diseases and conditions that are covered by SOPs. The legal concerns raised also overlook the fact that Statements of Principals are not static documents. They are subject to review to ensure they are kept up to date with the latest scientific evidence. And, where a condition is not covered by an existing SOP, the connection between service, of whatever kind, and the injury or disease is made on the basis of the medical evidence available. Obviously, some changes may be necessary in applying Statements of Principles to the health and compensation needs of serving personnel. We have no intention of just superimposing the existing system onto the ADF profile, without testing the adequacy of the SOPs for that purpose and satisfying serving members of their comprehensiveness. The RMA has an excellent track record of consultation and of responding to the genuine needs of ex-servicemen and women. Professor Donald has already indicated to me the authority's intention to consult widely with the defence force community once the legislation has passed Parliament, to ensure that the Statements of Principles effectively meet the needs of ADF members under the new scheme. I might say that this is not the first time that legal arguments have been raised claiming that Statements of Principles would make it harder for veterans to access their entitlements. I expect those involved in the establishment of the Repatriation Medical Authority will recall that similar concerns were raised about the move to SOPs to determine veterans' claims under the VEA. In this 10th anniversary year we can look back and see the proof to the contrary. I look forward to the Repatriation Medical Authority continuing its dedicated work on behalf of all those who serve in the defence of Australia.
This page last updated 22 March 2005. |
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