| The
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today called
for submissions from the veteran community and ex-service organisations
on recommendations of the Clarke Review of Veterans’ Entitlements
not acted on by the previous government. The
Clarke Review made a large number of recommendations for improvements
to veterans’ entitlements across a wide range of areas. The
Howard Government ignored almost all of those recommendations
that required any action at all.
The veteran and ex
service community were rightly disappointed by the Liberal Government’s
unwillingness to act as a result of the Clarke Review. That’s
why Labor committed to a review of outstanding Clarke recommendations.
“I know there
is particular interest from the veteran community in relation
to Australian participants in the British Nuclear Tests and
Australian members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force
after the Second World War. These will be given priority,”
Mr Griffin said.
Recent research overseas
had highlighted that the concerns of ex servicemen who had been
at Maralinga and other nuclear test sites needed further consideration.
This review will allow this to take place. Speaking
at the national congress of the Returned and Services League
of Australia (RSL), Mr Griffin announced the commencement of
the review. “I
am only seeking submissions relating to recommendations of the
Clarke Review that were not acted upon by the previous government.”
Anyone wishing to
lodge a submission can do so via email to reviewsecretariat@dva.gov.au,
with submissions closing on 1 December 2008. More information
about the review is available at www.dva.gov.au
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