"The Services member of the Commission is appointed from nominations received from ex-service organisations. The RSL and Legacy recommended Brigadier Rolfe, and I am confident his appointment will be well received by the veteran community," Mr Billson said. "Brigadier Rolfe replaces Rear Admiral Simon Harrington (Retired), whose extended appointment expired in November. RADM Harrington has agreed to stay on until Brigadier Rolfe takes up his appointment in January."

Brigadier Rolfe graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1968 and served in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He retrained as a legal officer and retired from the Army in 1992 after rising to the position of Director General, Defence Force Legal Services. He subsequently worked in the Attorney-General's Department before being appointed as the Principal Member of the Veterans' Review Board (VRB) in April 1997.

Mr Billson said Brigadier Rolfe, also appointed as a member of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission, was well placed to build on the achievements of his predecessor to ensure continuing quality support for veterans and their families. "Brigadier Rolfe is due to resign from his current role as the Principal Member of the VRB after nearly a decade of exceptional service. I am confident he will bring the commitment and conscientiousness shown during his years at the VRB to the Repatriation Commission," he said.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank RADM Harrington for his inspiring leadership and invaluable contribution to the work of the Commission, as well as his pivotal role in the implementation of the new Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme."