Outcome One—Compensation and Support
Eligible veterans, their war widows and widowers and dependants have access to appropriate compensation and income support in recognition of the effects of war service.
Outcome 1 is achieved through four outputs:
Description
Repatriation benefits to compensate veterans and their dependants for war-caused disability or death were introduced during World War I. In 1936, the system was extended by the introduction of the service pension, an income support measure. The service pension was introduced to recognise that the intangible effects of service in operations against the enemy could result in loss of earning power and premature ageing.
Compensation and income support remain the basis of the Australian repatriation system. Traditionally, Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 benefits are extended only to those with war or peacekeeping service, although normal peacetime service was covered for the period 1972–1994. While repatriation benefits are normally extended only to Australian veterans, service pension has been extended to eligible veterans of Commonwealth and allied countries and to Australian, Commonwealth and allied merchant mariners.
DVA works with the veteran community to ensure that information about repatriation entitlements and benefits is available and that veterans and their dependants are supported in the claims process. The Department continues to work to improve the efficiency and fairness of the claims and review processes and to ensure that entitlements and benefits are delivered as accurately, efficiently and quickly as possible.
Outcome 1 highlights
The Department provided assistance and support to the Clarke Review of Veterans' Entitlements and after a process of consultation with ex-service organisations (ESOs), prepared detailed submissions to Government on policy options arising from the recommendations of the Clarke Report.
Following the Government's adoption of various recommendations within the report, the Department — again in close consultation with ESOs — arranged for the phased implementation of these initiatives. Implementation required the drafting of detailed legislation and the development of new administrative procedures. All Government timetables have been met in a timely fashion.
Major projects and initiatives in line with business priorities
Considering and responding to the findings of the Review of Veterans' Entitlements
Indexation of the Above General Rate pension
A change in the indexation of the above general rate component of disability pension paid to seriously incapacitated veterans was implemented from 20 March 2004. These components of the disability pension are now indexed twice yearly in March and September by the same factor that applies to the maximum base rate service pension. This change will affect approximately 28 500 Special (T&PI) rate; 1 000 Intermediate rate and 15 100 Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) rate veterans. The General Rate component of T&PI, Intermediate and EDA rate disability pensions will continue to be indexed twice yearly by movements in the Consumer Price Index.
No 2 Squadron — Malay-Thai Border
Qualifying Service was extended to No 2 Squadron for service on the Malay-Thai Border between 20 December 1962 and 16 August 1964. This extension provides coverage consistent with that extended in response to the Mohr Report in 2000, to the Army Air Dispatch Unit for service on the Malay-Thai border in 1962–66. As a result of the extension of qualifying service, this group and their partners will be eligible for a service pension. Those veterans who are aged 70 years or over also will qualify for a Gold Card.
Minesweeping/Bomb Mine Clearance
Despite having qualifying service, a small number of minesweeping or bomb/mine clearance personnel could not access the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 because their only service was after 3 January 1949. Therefore, they did not have Operational Service, and as such did not meet the definition of a veteran. The legislation has now been amended to enable this small group to access benefits under the VEA.
Aircrew Involved in the Berlin Airlift
Operational Service was extended to Australian aircrew involved in the Berlin Airlift. This decision is consistent with the eligibility already applying to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (ie entitlements to disability compensation).
Ex-gratia Payment to Prisoners of War of the North Koreans
A one-off ex-gratia payment of $25 000 was made to former prisoners of war of the North Korean forces PoW (K) or their widows who were alive on 1 July 2003. This payment was made according to the same principles on which the payment to prisoners of war of the Japanese PoW (J) was made in 2001. The harsh treatment of PoW (K) veterans was similar to that of PoW (J) veterans. PoW (K) veterans were not provided protection under the Geneva Convention and the International Red Cross was excluded from PoW camps.
Increase to the Amount of Funeral Benefit
The amount of Funeral Benefit was increased from $572 to $1 000.
Undertaking research studies related to defence deployment experiences and occupational hazards
The Department continued to undertake a number of health and mortality studies, including an on-going Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP).
Basing decisions on best evidence
The Department continued its support for the Training and Information Program (TIP) and Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) programs, aimed at empowering ESO advocates and pension officers to provide "best evidence" early in claims and appeals in order that primary decision-makers, and review authorities can make correct decisions as early as possible.
Improving the quality and consistency of DVA's decision making
National Training Strategy
The National Training Strategy continued to deliver timely, effective training to staff in the Compensation and Support Division. Major training initiatives included:
- Medical Concepts (Musculo Skeletal and Sensory) — a two-module program delivered over one-day in all states and National office, aimed at increasing knowledge of anatomy, medical terminology and commonly claimed conditions. This program was attended by 250 staff.
- MOD SQUAD (Management of Debts — Some Questions Answered) — a three module program aimed at enhancing staff understanding, knowledge and skills associated with debt management. Delivered over two and a half days, to some 200 staff.
- Operation MEDAL (An Overview of Military History Events During Australian Lifetime) — a two–module program, aimed at improving staff awareness and knowledge of Australia's involvement in key military conflicts from WWI to the present day. Delivered over two-days, some 600 participated.
Compensation Data Mart
The Compensation Data Mart was constructed during the year as part of the Departmental Management Information System (DMIS) project. As a result, this large data warehousing system now provides comprehensive management information about the quantity, timeliness, quality and cost of delivering disability compensation and income support services.
Quality Assurance Sampling Assessment and Recording System
A number of enhancements to Quality Assurance Sampling Assessment and Recording System (QUASARS) were implemented during the year. A QUASARS training package catering for both Income Support and Disability Compensation staff was developed for delivery in all state offices.
Improvements in VEA s.24 (Special Rate Pension) Decision-Making
Since 31 March 2004, decisions under sections 23, 24 and 25 of the VEA have been made at senior delegate (APS6) level. This is to ensure consistency in the administrative practices and policies in the decision making process.
Improving DVA's written and oral advice
A review of certain classes of standard letters, including those relating to the investigation and recovery of overpayments was undertaken during the year.
Simplifying business processes and improving quality assurance
A continuous improvement (CI) project developed simpler and more effective protocols for veterans' access to free rail travel entitlements. The new protocols have had a very favourable impact on a large number of veterans, bringing clarity and certainty to an area that has been confusing and not well understood by both veterans and staff. A review of quality assurance (QA) sampling methodology was undertaken and rotational QA introduced in the income support area.
Improving compliance and review, and applying debt management and fraud control processes consistently
MCRS into VIEW
A joint Defence-DVA project to transfer selected DEFCARE (the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service Claims Management System) data to the DVA Veterans' Information Enquiry Window (VIEW) platform was finalised in November 2003. The project involved establishing an automated data extraction, delivery, load and display process across the two departments. The objective was to create a system that could help to identify individuals claiming compensation under both the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 in order to reduce the incidence of overpayments. Further enhancements to the system are planned and will be developed during 2004–05.
Supporting ex-service organisations and their advocates
Veterans' Practitioner Activity Database
The Veterans' Practitioner Activity Database (VPAD) was developed to assist ex-service organisations (ESOs) that undertake pension and welfare work on behalf of the veteran community. VPAD is a case management system that helps ESOs to manage their caseload.
VPAD was progressively implemented from October 2003 to February 2004. As ESOs qualified under the Building Excellence in Support and Training program they were provided with access to the database and trained in its use. Responsibility for the installation of the software was contracted to Volunteers for Isolated Student Education (VISE), a volunteer organisation of retired people with IT skills. VISE installed VPAD into more than 100 ESOs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Since VPAD was first introduced, a number of system enhancements have been made and a new version is due for release in July 2004. As part of the next release, DVA will be offering VPAD to ESOs that have not yet adopted the system. It is also proposed to hold a workshop with some experienced VPAD users to evaluate the system and identify any further enhancements.
Improving departmental participation in external review processes
The Department continued to participate in and contribute to Administrative Appeal Tribunal conferences on case management. Protocols for speedy and appropriate departmental cooperation with the Commonwealth Ombudsman were further reviewed and tightened.
Continuing to strengthen Defence/DVA links
Defence and DVA continue to build their relationship at the working level via the Defence/DVA Links Project Review Board. During 2003–04 a review of the board's activities was conducted and, as a result, the following changes have come into place.
- The links board takes a more active role in promoting projects and sharing advice and information between the two departments.
- A formalised process has been put in place to regularly advise the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs of the progress of key Defence/DVA issues.
- The Medical Advisory Panel formally reports to the links board following its meetings.
- The links board, the Medical Advisory Panel and its working groups meet more regularly than in previous years.
Additionally, the sharing of advice and information has been strengthened by the establishment of more formalised discussions involving Defence, DVA, the Repatriation Medical Authority and the Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.
| Budget 2003–2004 | Additional Estimates 2003–2004 | Actual 2003–2004 | Variation 2003–2004 | Budget 2004–2005 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average staffing level | 949 | 961 | 946 | –15 | 1 070 |
* for purposes of this table na indicates not applicable.