GOVERNMENT DELIVERS LANDMARK LEGISLATION FOR MILITARY

The new Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (MRC) Scheme will be fully operational on 1 July 2004 and the appointments to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission that will administer the new scheme will be announced in the near future, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale said today.

Mrs Vale welcomed the passage of the MRC Bills through Federal Parliament today allowing the Howard Government to deliver on its commitment to provide a modern, military specific, compensation scheme.

"Australia’s long standing commitment to those who serve in the defence of our nation will enter a new era with the passage of legislation to establish the new MRCS," Mrs Vale said.

“This landmark legislation sets out the framework for a 21st century repatriation system and brings together the best elements of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act and the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, to meet the needs of a new generation of service personnel and their families."

The Senate Committee's inquiry demonstrated that the Government had got it right for future service personnel and was happy to accept the two legislative amendments recommended.

“The scheme will now provide all widowed partners with a death benefit of $103,000, regardless of whether the member was engaged in warlike, non-warlike or peacetime service," Mrs Vale said.

“This is in addition to the choice of a war widow’s pension or an age-based lump sum compensation payment, free comprehensive health care through the Gold Card and other benefit, military superannuation entitlements and compensation benefits for any dependent children.

“Further, all ADF members, regardless of their service, have the option of applying to the Veterans’ Review Board as their first avenue of appeal, ensuring serving members and veterans seeking a review of their case are treated consistently under the new scheme.

"The Government also has acted to pass a range of minor technical amendments to improve the operation of the scheme in relation to support for disabled members seeking to return to work and the calculation of incapacity payments for injured Reservists.

"The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be working in coming months to inform the defence and veteran communities about the new scheme, ensuring serving members receive the care and support they need."