8
September 2017
New compensation
Act for veterans
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Dan Tehan said
veterans would benefit after Parliament
yesterday passed measures to simplify veterans’
legislation.
Parliament yesterday passed the Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related
Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA), which will replace
for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members the
Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act
1988 (SRCA). There will be no change to
eligibility or the coverage of entitlements or
benefits available to current and former members
of the ADF.
The
purpose of this change was to move all military
compensation legislation under the Minister for
Veterans’ Affairs. Mr Tehan said the legislation
gave the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs policy
responsibility for all veterans’ compensation
legislation.
“This
new legislation will allow for more consistent
for veterans’ entitlements subject to
consultation with the defence and ex-service
community. This will allow the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs to improve the services it
offers,” Mr Tehan said.
DRCA
will commence 28 days after Royal Assent when
all veterans and ADF members with existing
claims under the SRCA will automatically become
claims under the DRCA.
Mr
Tehan assured the Parliament that there would be
no change to coverage in this move but that the
Government had put in place a safety net for any
unforeseen situations.
Any new
claims for injuries and illnesses due to service
prior to 1 July 2004 which are lodged on or
after the commencement date will now also be
DRCA claims.
Further
information on the DRCA, and on making a claim
for rehabilitation and/or compensation due to a
service related injury or illness under any of
the military compensation Acts, can be found at
www.dva.gov.au.
Media enquiries:
Minister Tehan’s Office: Byron Vale, 0428 262
894
Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media: 02 6289
6203
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling
Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day
across Australia for support and free and
confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046
(international: +61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a
service founded by Vietnam veterans.
