The Naval Association

The Naval Association

of Australia

VA015 Wednesday 16 March 2005

SUMMIT STRENGTHENS INTERNATIONAL LINKS FOR VETERANS

Veterans' Ministers from five nations have ended their first summit with a commitment to sharing health research and exchanging information on pensions and compensation.

The two-day International Veterans Administrations Ministerial Summit in London involved Ministers and senior officials from Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

Veterans' Affairs Minister De-Anne Kelly represented the Australian Government at the summit this week.

Mrs Kelly said Australia was committed to working with its international colleagues to advance important issues for veterans.

"The summit has strengthened relations between Australia and the other countries on shared veterans' issues," Mrs Kelly said.

"Australians can be proud of the recognition and entitlements our veterans are accorded and the commitment of the Government to their ongoing support."

A communique was issued overnight on behalf of the Ministers. They:

* Welcomed the discussion and commitment of all countries to
commemoration now and in the future of the Second World War and beyond, with particular emphasis on education of future generations.
* Recognised the importance of shared and collaborative research on
veterans' affairs, in particular health matters; they noted the lack of consensus within the scientific community on health issues relating to Gulf War veterans.
* Undertaken to exchange information on areas such as pensions,
compensation and benefits to veterans.
* Directed officials from their countries to look at the issue of
Reservists and their needs when they become Veterans.

Mrs Kelly said she had invited the Ministers to Australia to attend the second summit next year.

The summit aimed to share information and discuss veterans' issues, ideas and best practice.