Former career officer
in the Royal Australian Navy, Rear Admiral Simon Harrington's
(Ret'd) term as the Services member of the Repatriation Commission
has been extended, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Bruce
Billson, announced today. Mr Billson said RADM Harrington
took up his original three-year appointment as Repatriation
Commissioner on 25 August 2003. "RADM Harrington's term
expired today however I have asked RADM Harrington to stay
on as Repatriation Commissioner until November while his replacement
is being finalised. The Services member of the Repatriation
Commission is appointed from nominations received from the
ex-service community and this process is underway," Mr
Billson said.
The Repatriation
Commission is the agency charged with meeting Australia's
commitment to care for those who have served our nation in
wars, conflicts and peace operations. "With the support
of the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the Commission delivers
compensation and health benefits and discharges the nation's
obligation to remember and honour our servicemen and women,"
the Minister said. "During his period as Commissioner,
RADM Harrington has displayed a depth of operational and administrative
experience that has been invaluable during what has been a
challenging period for the Repatriation Commission.
"This has
involved the implementation of the new Military Rehabilitation
and Compensation Scheme, which has delivered a modern, military
specific compensation scheme for current and former members
of the Australian Defence Force. RADM Harrington is a founding
member of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission
(MRCC), which is held in conjunction as Repatriation Commissioner."
RADM Harrington
joined the RAN at the age of 15 and, after graduating from
the Royal Australian Naval College, served in a number of
ships including HMAS Vampire and HMAS Yarra during the Vietnam
War. His 39-year Navy career includes service in the Far East
Strategic Reserve and in Papua New Guinea, before commanding
HMAS Canberra in 1987-88 and HMAS Adelaide in 1992-93. RADM
Harrington also served in positions including Commanding Officer
of the RAN College at Jervis Bay, Director General Recruiting
and Support Commander - Navy, and was Head of Australian Defence
Staff and Defence Attaché at the Australian Embassy
in Washington for three years until retiring in 2002.