The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson, today announced the appointment of eight new Members to the Veterans’ Review Board (VRB). Mr Billson said that one full-time Senior Member, three part-time Senior Members and four part-time Members had been appointed to the Board.

The VRB is an independent tribunal that reviews decisions or determinations of the Repatriation and Military Rehabilitation & Compensation Commissions. The VRB also reviews determinations of the service chiefs of the Navy, Army and Air Force in relation to rehabilitation for serving members of the Defence Force.

“These new appointees have the experience and knowledge to make an effective contribution to the VRB,” Mr Billson said. “They include a mix of strong military backgrounds, extensive legal experience, and an understanding of merits review procedures that is necessary in such a position. The addition of new Members will ensure that veterans who choose to review the outcome of a claim will continue to receive the highest standard of procedural fairness,” Mr Billson said.

The new Members have each been appointed for a period of two years, and join the 40 current Members, bringing total membership of the Board to 48. “I congratulate the new Members of the Board, and welcome the experience and knowledge they will bring to the VRB,” Mr Billson said.

The appointments are:

Senior full-time Member
Mr Ivan Cahill

Senior part-time Members
Mr Edward Bentram Mark Jolly,
Ms Andrea Marilyn Hall-Brown and
Ms Amanda MacDonald

Part-time Members
Mr Gary Charles Barrow,
Mr Graham Michael Barter,
Mr Andrew Harding Braban and
Mr Victor Kent Patrick RFD