Introduction
Referral
1.1
On 9 November 2016, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Dan
Tehan MP, introduced the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Legislation
Amendment (Defence Force) Bill 2016 (the bill) into the House of
Representatives.[1]
1.2
On 9 February 2017, the Senate, on the recommendation of the Selection
of Bills Committee, referred the provisions of the bill to the Foreign Affairs,
Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 20 March 2017.[2]
Context to the inquiry
1.3
Arrangements for pensions, compensation, rehabilitation and other
benefits for current and former members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF)
and their dependents have changed incrementally over time. This has resulted in
some ADF members and veterans being covered under different and multiple
schemes. In particular, the Veterans Entitlement Act 1987 (VEA) and the Safety,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) may apply to those with
service before 1 July 2004.
1.4
SRCA currently provides compensation coverage to all Commonwealth
employees and is administered by Comcare on behalf of the Department of
Employment. SRCA is also administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs
(DVA), with Part XI extending coverage to ADF members and former members for
injuries and illnesses linked to service between 1 December 1988 and
1 July 2004.[3]
1.5
Following the Tanzer Review into military compensation, the Military,
Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) was enacted to provide
rehabilitation and compensation for a range of persons who served on or after
1 July 2004.
1.6
At the public hearing, DVA officers described the bill as originating from
earlier attempts at legislative reform including the Safety. Rehabilitation and
Compensation Amendment (Improving the Comcare Scheme) Bill 2015 (Comcare bill).[4]
These included amendments to the Comcare scheme to make it 'more sustainable
over time'. Key changes were intended to reduce the types of injuries that were
compensable, reduce the costs of the scheme and create a sanctions regime
through a concept of 'obligations of mutuality'.
1.7
However, in recognition of the unique nature of military service, ADF
members and veterans were to be made exempt from most of the changes.[5]
The Comcare bill lapsed at the prorogation of the 44th Parliament.
Other inquiries
1.8
The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee is
currently conducting an inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service
personnel, including examining DVA administration of claims. Many submitters
and witnesses referred to evidence received for that inquiry in their
commentary on the bill.
Conduct of inquiry
1.9
The committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to
individuals and organisations likely to have an interest in the inquiry and
invited them to make written submissions. The committee requested that
submissions to the inquiry be received by 24 February 2017.
1.10
The committee received 10 submissions for the inquiry which are listed
at Appendix 1. The committee held a public hearing in Canberra on
15 March 2017. Witnesses who appeared at the public hearing are
listed at Appendix 3. Published submissions and the Hansard
transcript of the public hearing are available from the committee's website: www.aph.gov.au/senate_fadt.
Structure of the report
1.11
Chapter 2 provides a brief overview of the bill. Chapter 3 discusses the
key issues raised during the inquiry. Chapter 4 contains the committee's
conclusion and recommendations.
Acknowledgments
1.12
The committee acknowledges the short period of time available to make submissions
to the inquiry. In this context, the committee thanks all those who assisted
the inquiry by providing submissions and giving evidence at the public hearing.
Note on references
1.13
References to the committee Hansard are to the proof transcript.
Page numbers may vary between the proof and official Hansard transcript.
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