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Developments in Compensation and Support

The year was particularly challenging and busy for the Department. DVA bedded down policy and operational changes arising from the Mohr Report, under which more than 2600 veterans became eligible for qualifying service and full repatriation benefits. It also implemented a number of Budget measures with short lead times for implementation. These included payments of $25 000 to more than 2445 Australian ex-PoWs and civilian detainees held captive by Japan during WWII, or their surviving widows and the re-instatement of war widow’s pension to widows who remarried prior to 1984 and subsequently lost their entitlements.

Of longer-term significance has been intensive work to implement revised means testing arrangements for private trusts and private companies and preparation for the implementation of the Government’s election commitment of twice-yearly indexation of the ceiling rate of the income support supplement for war widows/widowers, which is scheduled to commence from 20 September 2002.

The Department had a significant role in the establishment of the Independent Review of Veterans’ Entitlements and continues to provide secretariat and expert support. The Review, which was announced by the Minister on 8 February 2002, fulfils a key commitment of the Government’s 2001 election platform.

The Review is examining perceived anomalies in the eligibility provisions, including qualifying service requirements, of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA); concerns about the adequacy of benefits and support available to disability pensioners, including those on the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated rate; the issue of disability pension being held as income for pensions and benefits paid by Centrelink; the possible extension of the VEA to personnel involved in British atomic testing in Australia; and the recognition of peacetime SAS service as ‘hazardous’ and/or qualifying service.

The Department also has been involved in the task of developing a new and self contained safety, compensation and rehabilitation scheme for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to cover all future service, short of declared war involving general mobilisation.

Operational tasks undertaken during the year included the establishment of an enhanced Debt Management Recovery System, while continuous improvements have been made to CLIK and ELMNet, electronic information systems designed to assist DVA staff and clients. Comprehensive training of decision-makers has been undertaken with the aim of establishing a culture of excellence, while the Department has maintained its commitment to continuous improvement in Compensation and Support areas.

During the year, DVA completed the implementation of a suite of Quality Assurance systems across the Income Support, Disability Compensation and Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service programs. The Department also trialed a number of Electronic Document Management (EDM) projects to test the feasibility of ‘off file’ processing. These projects showed that there are efficiency gains to be made through the use of the EDM technology and these projects will be further developed to business case stage during the next year. The NOVEL project to allow the lodgment of claims electronically over the Internet is due for implementation during 2002–03. This is being trialed initially in Tasmania in partnership with six ex-service organisations (ESOs) and Service Tasmania outlets.

The Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program has been in operation for three years. An independent review into how well the program is meeting its objectives is under way and scheduled to report in August 2002. The findings and recommendations are expected to provide input into a strategic planning process focussing on the future working relationship between DVA and the ex-service community.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service sites of presence—2002

Other centres of presence

Queensland

Biloela, Cunnamulla, Blackall, Weipa, Cooktown, Herberton, Ravenshoe, Mount Garnet, Croydon, Normanton, Georgetown, Richmond, Hughenden, Collinsville, Cannonvale, Mirani, Winton, Moranbah, Sarina, Yeppoon, Clermont, Moura, Springsure, Isisford

Boulia, Bedourie, Birdsville, Jundah, Windorah, Mundubbera, Monto, Miles, Mitchell, Murgon, Laidley, Beaudesert, Inglewood, Texas, Stanthorpe, St George, Thargomindah, Dirranbandi, Malanda, Babinda, Eidsvold, Kilkivan, Boonah, Nth Stradbroke Island

Crows Nest, Wandoan, Barcaldine, Goombungee, Aramac, Blackbutt, Camooweal, Lowood, Maleny, Middlemount, Surat, Tara, Agnes Waters, Augathella, Injune, Jandowae, Kalbar, Mt Morgan

New South Wales

Gilgandra, Grenfell, Oberon

Victoria

Welshpool

Tasmania

Queenstown, Smithton, Glenorchy, Huonville, Sorell, Triabunna, Oatlands, New Norfolk, Georgetown, Campbell Town, St Helens

South Australia

Karoonda, Lameroo, Pinaroo, Coonalpyn, Tintinara

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