S 8 1984-1993

This Section includes years from 1984 to 1993.

1984

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor) and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon A T Gietzelt.

Auditor-General's Efficiency Audit tabled in Parliament;
29 January 1984, the Report of the Pilot Study into the feasibility of an epidemiological investigation of morbidity in Vietnam veterans was tabled in Parliament by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs;
1 February 1984, Medicare was introduced, this meant that repatriation beneficiaries had the choice of having their health care provided through the Repatriation treatment system or Medicare;
14 March 1984, a Service Pensioner became liable to advise the Secretary where he or his spouse became the owner of or acquired an interest in, property; or where either of them disposed of property;
10 May 1984, provisions for Remote Area Allowance were changed so that:

the allowance was payable during the first eight weeks absence from the remote area;
an eligible service pensioner indefinitely separated from his spouse due to illness or infirmity was payable at the single rate; and
where two people were eligible in respect of a dependent child, the allowance was only payable to one of them.

provision to allow widow's who remarried after 29 May 1984 to retain pension;
From 25 June 1984, rent assistance was not payable where a service pensioner's spouse was in receipt of incentive allowance under the Social Security Act;
From 25 June 1984, the definition of 'rent' was changed to treat as rent an amount paid for a place where a caravan is parked or a boat is moored;
From 1 July 1984, the Department of Veterans' Affairs took over from the Department of Primary Industry, responsibility for agricultural loans to certain regular and national service personnel;
21 September 1984, the repatriation Act was amended to restore income deductions for children in relation to eligibility of a pensioner for fringe benefits. These deductions had been inadvertently removed in the 1984 Budget Legislation;
In the Budget the assets test was introduced to take effect for Repatriation Service Pensions from 14 March 1985. Certain levels of assets were exempt, and these levels were to be indexed. Eligibility levels for fringe and treatment benefits were also set and indexed. The test was not to apply to blind pensions, war or defence widow pensions, or disability pensions. The principle home owned and occupied by a pensioner was exempt, as were pre-paid funeral expenses, awards for valour not held for investment or hobby purposes, and special aids for disabled persons. The pensions loan scheme and hardship provisions and hardship provisions were introduced under the assets tests;
In the 1984 Budget, Service Pension, Rent Assistance, Disability Pension, War and Defence Widows, Orphan Pension, Attendant Allowance, and amounts payable for amputations and loss of vision; as specified in the Repatriation Act and except for the last dot point , in the SWPA Act were increased independent of indexation provisions;
The ANZAC Hostel was donated (Baillieu Gift) as a hostel for T&PI veterans of World War 1. From 25 October 1984 the purposes for which the hostel could be used were changed so that it could be also used as a limited day care hospital and respite care service for all eligible veterans. The Repatriation Act was amended to provide that, once the Repatriation Commission decided the ANZAC Hostel was no longer required for the purposes specified under the terms of the trust, the hostel could be sold and the proceeds used for scholarships for the descendants of certain veterans;
Funeral Benefit was increased from $500 to $550 from November;
From 8 November 1984, the definition of 'child' in the Repatriation Act was amended to exclude a person, aged 16 or more, in receipt of any income security payment under the Social Security Act or the Tuberculosis Act;
From 8 November 1984, a new Section 39 of the Public Service Act provided for standing acting appointments to the office of Secretary to a Department. Consequently the Repatriation Act was amended to provide for the Deputy Chairman of the Repatriation Commission to be appointed by the Governor General to a vacancy or temporary absence in the position of Chairman of the Repatriation Commission;
Income Limits for Fringe Benefits increased by $52 per fortnight for each child;
Remote Locality Allowance introduced for service pensioners resident in remote areas of Australia; and
Provision was made for the DSHC to make available from accumulated deposits an amount for insurance of a dwelling. The DSHC was also permitted to undertake insurance of improvements to dwellings and building materials for such improvements.

1985

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor) and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon A T Gietzelt.

1 January 1985, Repatriation Legislation Amendment Act 1984 became effective in order to provide savings provisions for appeals made to Repatriation Boards or the Repatriation review Tribunal, or a Pensions Committee or the Commission under the SWPA Act. These appeals were treated as if they were appeals to the VRB. A further appeal could be made to the AAT;
1 January 1985, the Repatriation Act was amended to require the Repatriation Commission to make a written record of decisions relating to all claims for death or incapacity due to service, to give reasons for the decision and to serve a copy of the decision to the person affected by it;
1 January 1985, the Repatriation Act was amended to require that the VRB and subsequently the AAT could review a decision of the Repatriation Commission made under section 29 (1) and where the Commission had specified a date for variation, cancellation or suspension of pension, the VRB or the AAT could set an earlier date. The Secretary was required to prepare a report on evidence held by the Department and provide a copy to the applicant;
1 January 1985, a restructured pensions determining system came into effect. The new system operated on the following three tiers:

initial determinations of claims for service and disability pensions to be made by delegates of the Repatriation Commission;
the first level of review on disability pensions to be made by a new body, the Veterans' Review Board;
reviews on Service pension matters to be made by senior delegates of the Repatriation Commission; and
the final level of review, on the merits, for both disability and service pension matters to be made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

1 January1985, with the advent of the new determining system, Pensions Committees, Repatriation Boards and the Repatriation Review Tribunal were abolished. Savings and transitional provisions covered previous decisions, and outstanding appeals and publications for review by these bodies;
1 January1985, formal recognition was given to a claimant's or applicant's right to withdraw a claim or application by notice in writing without prejudice to any further claim or application;
1 January1985, travelling expenses became payable to a person approved to accompany a claimant or applicant as an attendant, where the claimant or applicant was required to appear before the Commission;
abolition of the Repatriation Boards and the Repatriation Review Tribunal, Veterans' Review Board (VRB) was established by the Repatriation Legislation Amendment Act 1984 which became effective 1 January 1985;
14 March 1985, Assets Test was introduced for all pensioners. Pensioners aged over 70 continued to be assessed under the special over 70s income test where it resulted in a higher payment than the normal income test, and a lower payment than the Assets Test;
14 March 1985, pensions loan scheme and hardship provisions in respect of service pensions were introduced;
14 March 1985, rent assistance was not payable where a pensioner was subject to the assets test;
14 March 1985, service pensioners became liable to advise the Secretary when they (or their spouse) became the owner of, or acquired an interest in, property; or where either of them disposed of property;
14 March 1985, provisions relating to the power of the Secretary to obtain information were rationalised and updated;
1 May 1985, the Treasurer's May Economic Statement announced the following changes to Veterans' Treatment entitlements:
14 May 1985, as of this date no further loans were granted under the Defence Re-establishment loans scheme;
14 May 1985 no future applications for re-establishment agricultural and business loans;
14 May 1985, members of the Forces who enlisted after this date, were no longer eligible for benefits under the DSH Scheme, members with service in Nambia were excepted. Although Members of the Forces who enlisted after this date may be entitled for housing assistance under the ADFHLA Scheme;
6 June 1985, the eligibility criteria for Intermediate Rate and Special Rate disability pensions were tightened by amendment to the Repatriation Act 1920 (repealed). Either pension could be paid to a veteran, aged under 65 who was seeking work, where service related disabilities were a substantial cause of inability to obtain work. To be eligible:

for Intermediate rate, a veteran must have been eligible to receive 100 per cent disability pension; be capable, as a result of service related disabilities, only of part time work; and be suffering a loss of wages; and
for Special Rate the veteran must have been eligible to receive 100 per cent disability pension; be totally and permanently incapacitated as a result of service related disabilities; be incapable of working more than eight hours per week; and be suffering loss of wages.

6 June 1985, abolition of further grants of Disability Pension to wives and children and other members of a veteran's family;
6 June 1985, the definition of 'dependant' referred only to the widow or child of a member of the Forces and 'hazardous' service was included;
6 June 1985, pensions to dependants became payable only on the death of a veteran. Existing payments of the former 'dependants' pensions were saved but frozen at the rate paid prior to 6 June 1985;
6 June 1985, female veterans became eligible for the complete range of entitlements available to male veterans;
6 June 1985, Standard of Proof provisions were amended to overcome the interpretation of the High Court in Repatriation Commission v O'Brien. The reasonable hypothesis requirement was instituted. For qualifying war service the Commission was required to grant a claim unless there were insufficient grounds for doing so. For other service the civil standard of proof applied. These standards applied to the Commission, the VRB, and the AAT;
5 September 1985, new sections 97 and 97A were inserted into the Repatriation Act to provide for the relationship between service pension and the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme;
5 September 1985, service pension became payable from the date of application, rather than a specified pension pay day;
5 September 1985, the four year rule under which a child outside Australia could be considered a dependent child was amended, a savings provision applied;
5 September 1985 and backdated to 16 March 1973, dual payments of income support pensions by DSS and DVA were abolished. Savings provisions were applied. Under the savings provisions most pensioners took the DSS pension as the primary entitlement and had their DVA pension frozen. A few pensioners took the DVA pension as the primary entitlement. The Repatriation Act was amended from 16 March 1973 to save the frozen DSS pension for those who took the DVA pension as the primary entitlement;
The Assets test for Fringe Benefits was introduced. Introduction of pension loans scheme and hardship provisions in respect of service pensions;

From 15 May 1985, for those eligible for full treatment benefits, dental treatment requiring prior approval was limited to $300 per year. This did not apply for those accepted dental disabilities;
From 1 July 1985, transport was no longer provided for service pensioners to attend community based health care facilities;
From 1 July 1985, a LDO could refer a veteran to a dental prosthetist for certain services; and
From 1 July 1985, those entitled to full treatment benefits and those with accepted eye disorders could seek treatment direct from an optometrist.

October 1985, the Joint Venture Scheme introduced as a means of helping veterans and war widows remain independent and improving quality of life, through projects developed by ex-service organisations and funded by the Department;
1 November 1985, a person could not receive dual payments of service pension and any of unemployment or sickness benefit, or sheltered employment allowance;
From 1 November 1985, in circumstances where a benefit was obtained due to a false statement, the Commonwealth could commence proceedings to recover an overpayment up to six years after the Department had become aware of the overpayment; and
From 1 November 1985, the Repatriation Act was amended to replace spouse cares pension with Carers pension to include certain relatives providing constant care to a severely handicapped veteran. Eligible relatives were specified.
November 1985, the Minister tabled the final report of the evaluation of the VVCS;
Veterans' Home Service Program introduced to provide home support services for elderly and frail veterans and war widows; and
Reasonable hypothesis for hazardous service introduced.

1986

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor) and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon A T Gietzelt.

From 19 May 1986, the service pension permanent unemployability became service pension invalidity. The 85 per cent incapacitated for work requirement was introduced and blindness became a qualifier;
22 May 1986, Senate passes the Veterans' Entitlements Act (VEA);
22 May 1986, the VEA amended to make eligible for pension the dependant of a deceased member of the Forces or member of a Peacekeeping Force who:

was eligible for a disability pension at the special temporary rate and was eligible for one of items 1-8 of VEA s27 (defence caused double amputations); and
whose death was not war caused.

22 May 1986, the VEA was amended in respect of war widow's pension so that:

a widow who claimed a war widow's pension before remarriage retained eligibility;
a war widow was not eligible for service pension unless she was a veteran or carer, and the pension was frozen from 1 November 1986 at a maximum of $3 122.60 per annum;
all pensions cancelled after 29 May 1984 due to remarriage were restored; and
the former domestic allowance ceased to exist, and all war widows received $24 per fortnight as a component of their war widows pension.

From 22 May 1986, overpayments to a member of the Forces or of a Peacekeeping Force could be recovered by either deductions from pension or repayment of a lump sum;
From 22 May 1986, the twelve month time limit for claiming a funeral benefit also applied to a disability pensioner who had been receiving a pension increased under s 27 (items 1 – 8);
From 22 May 1986, the provision for the Commission not to be bound by technicalities etc was extended to the determination or review of a claim for certain benefits and allowances;
From 22 May 1986, the AAT could review a decision of the VRB, where the VRB had varied a decision of the Commission. This applied to a Commission decision under both the VEA and the SWPA Act;
From 22 May 1986, in relation to a review by the AAT, the Commission was deemed to be 'a person who may be affected by a reviewable decision'. This change meant that the Commission and not the VRB would be a party to the AAT review;
From 22 May 1986, provisions relating to the backdating of pensions etc by the AAT were varied. The three month period within which the applicant must appeal to the AAT if he or she was to be eligible for backdating began on the date;

the VRB decision was received (for compensation matters); or
the Commission review decision was received (for income support matters)

From 22 May 1986, the Minister could direct that a Commissioner not consider or review a matter in which the Commissioner had a personal interest;
From 22 May 1986, the rounding provisions for fringe benefits were revised. Where a pension was backdated arrears were calculated on the maximum prevailing rate for each related indexation period;
From 22 May 1986, under both the VEA and the SWPA Act, provisions relating to the recovery of overpayments were amended to provide that:

overpayments could be recovered by deductions from continuing payments, or in a court from the person or the person's estate, or both;
deductions commenced in the limitation period could continue after the period; and
where a pension is increased and backdated recovery can occur from a period before the original date of grant.

From 22 May 1986, provisions relating to the former 'dependant's pension' which continued to be paid, were amended. Review powers which applied under repealed legislation continued to apply. War widows in receipt of the former 'dependant's pension' who qualified for war widow's pension before this date, lost the dependant's pension upon being granted a war widows pension;
From 22 May 1986, the Act was amended to provide that Special Rate (T&PI) and Intermediate Rate pensions were normally payable for the life of a veteran. Exceptions applied in cases of misrepresentation or where the veteran became capable of undertaking, or undertook, remunerative employment in excess of the periods allowed. Where the exceptions applied the Commission could cancel, suspend or decrease the rate of pension payable, and such a decision would be a reviewable decision;
From 22 May 1986, provisions relating to a claim for wife's service pension after the death of a veteran, were tightened. Pension was only payable where the widow had made a claim for pension before the veteran's death and:

The veteran had been in receipt of service pension; or
The veteran had claimed for pension and the Commission had determined that the veteran was eligible for pension.

22 May 1986, a wife or child of a veteran, whose dependant's pension had been frozen from 6 June 1985 and who remained eligible for pension until the last pension payday in June 1986, had until 22 November 1986 to elect to commute the pension to a lump sum equal to three years payments;
From 22 May 1986, benefits were extended, by determination, to many veterans who served in the Vietnam conflict but who were not allotted for duty;
22 May 1986, the definition of child in both the VEA and the SWPA Act, was amended to exclude a person under the age of 16, in receipt of any payment under the Social Security Act. Reference to the Tuberculosis Act was removed;
From 22 May 1986, a veteran did not have to be residing in, and physically present in, Australia, in order to test only whether he or she had qualifying service;
From 22 May 1986 until 31 December 1986, a dependent child of a member of the Defence force or of a Peacekeeping Force was not eligible for a pension if the child was receiving assistance under a specified education scheme;
25 May 1986 Extension of Repatriation Benefits to Australian Service Personnel who served in Vietnam but were not allotted for 'Special Duty';
May 1986, GARP 1 introduced as part of the Veterans' Entitlements Act, and became binding on determining authorities from 1 July 1986;
2 June 1986, Guide to the Assessment of Rates of Veterans' Pensions (GARP) approved by the Minister;
Vehicle Assistance Scheme was prepared by the Commission, approved by the Minister and tabled in Parliament on 2 June 1986. The scheme aimed to assist eligible veterans and members of the forces by providing them with a motor vehicle;
24 June 1986, the VEA was amended to change the rules by which property is valued under the assets test, with the following key changes:

The curtilage provision was deleted (other than for deprivation provisions) which brought the assets test into line with capital gains tax rules;
Unless a life interest had been created by the pensioner or his or her spouse, then that interest was exempt;
Annuities were exempt unless specifically made non-exempt, which reversed the previous situation; and
Proceeds of sale of a pensioner's residence were exempt if the person was likely to buy another residence within 12 months; only proceeds used for the new residence were exempt.

27 October 1986, the definition 'domestic payment' was inserted into the VEA. This related to payment received on the disposition of the person's property. The VEA was amended to provide that, as a general principle, income included amount of capital nature;
1 November 1986, freezing and limiting rates of service pensions paid to war widows;
6 November 1986, wives, children and other members of a veterans' family receiving small amounts of pension were given the option to receive a lump sum payment equal to three years pension. 33 000 pensions were commuted;

The Veterans' Entitlements (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1986 provided:

Continuity between the Repatriation Act and the VEA;
Savings provisions for those with entitlements under the Repatriation Act; and
A mechanism for dealing with outstanding claims, applications and reviews.

The VEA was amended to provide for eligibility for age service pension to be granted to veterans holding the General Service Medal with Bomb and Mine Clearance 1945-56 Clasp;
Standard of Proof provisions amended with the introduction of the Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986;
Domestic Allowance extended to all war widows;
The VEA was amended to allow the Minister to make determinations which could deem certain Commonwealth employees or members of approved philanthropic organisations to be members of the Forces during periods when such persons were rendering service with the Forces until 11 January 1973. Such determinations allowed for retention of repatriation benefits which these persons had enjoyed under the Repatriation Act;
Earnings concession phased out;
An instrument signed by the Minister provided that Pharmaceutical benefits provided to war widows and their dependants would be provided under the NHA, and no longer under the VEA;
The VEA section on recovery of costs for medical treatment was revised. The Commission could recover costs, either from the patient or a third party, in respect of compensation for the same disease, disability or condition;
The VEA and SWPA Act sections on charges payable to the Commonwealth were revised from 1 November 1986. Where a person, who was a member of a health fund, received treatment under the VEA and was subsequently required to pay for the treatment, the health fund could be made to discharge the person's liability to the Commission;
The VEA sections on funeral benefits were revised to:

Deny benefits from 22 May 1986, to Vietnam Veterans and others, who died in hospital, while being treated under Commission arrangements under section 85(9) of VEA, for non-war caused disabilities; and
Deduct from the amount of benefit paid for the death of a veteran or dependant any amount paid under the Social Security Act.

In 1986 service pension benefits were also extended to veterans who served with the FESR in Malaya and who were awarded the British GSM with a clasp showing they were in an area where they could have incurred danger from hostile forces of the enemy;
The VEA section on recreation transport allowance was revised to deny payment where the veteran:

Was being treated at public expense in a non-public hospital or institution; or
Was receiving assistance under the vehicle assistance scheme.

The VEA ( and for disability pension the SWPA Act) were amended to change:

The indexation paydays for pensions, effective from 31 October 1986, to the first payday after 13 June and 13 December each year; and
The date of indexation of the assets tax thresholds, effective from 30 April 1987, to 13 June each year.

medical and other treatment extended to all service pensioners in receipt of 50 per cent disability pension;
under the Repatriation Act 1920, eligibility for the Orphan's Pension had been restricted to those dependants of veterans whose death was war caused;
prior to November 1986 war widow's were entitled to receive part age or invalid pensions from DSS, as well as war widow's pension. The DSS Act was amended to preclude dual eligibility for future cases. A ceiling was placed on age or invalid pensions paid to the widows. The ceiling was not subject to indexation and has not been increased;
A ceiling of $3 122.60 was placed on the amount of age, carer, wife or disability support pension payable to a war widow/er under the Social Security Act 1991;
Veterans' Children Education Scheme (VCES) was prepared by the Commission, approved and tabled in Parliament by the Minister, this replaced the Soldiers' Children Education Scheme introduced 1922. The VCES replaced the SCES as of 22 May 1986. The VCES was designed to provide financial assistance to support the education of eligible children and to help them achieve their full potential in education. Eligibility provisions for the children of a veteran, member of the Forces or member of a Peacekeeping Force were specified in VEA s116;
The VEA was amended to change pension loan scheme provisions. Persons whose property value was less than $100 000 became eligible but only if they waived their protection of $100 000 remaining once the loan was repaid;
The VEA was amended to change financial hardship rules. Where a person disposed of property and subsequently applied under hardship provisions, property and income relating to the property disposed of could be taken into account in assessing service pension;
The VEA was amended in relation to additional payments of service pension for children (APC). The Repatriation Commission no longer had to make a determination in respect of each prescribed child. Instead, the VEA specified which classes of children were prescribed. Savings provisions applied to previous determinations;
Treatment principles were introduced. These set out the basis and conditions on which treatment may be provided; and
introduction of Pension Loans Scheme and service pension hardship provisions.

1987

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon A T Gietzelt, until 24 July 1987 when the Hon B C Humphreys became the Minister responsible for Veterans' Affairs.

1 January 1987, earnings credit introduced for service pensions;
May 1987, Economic Statement included the following issues which were relevant to Veterans' Affairs:

Rent assistance savings provisions introduced in February 1982 were abolished from 18 June 1987 for beneficiaries paying government rent;
Residency requirements for Service Pensions tightened;
All maintenance payments treated as income in assessing Service pensions; and
Service Pension benefits for a child to continue for 13 weeks after the child leaves full time education.

18 May 1987, Minister for Veterans' Affairs announced the establishment of the Veterans Entitlements Act Monitoring Committee to monitor the effectiveness and efficiency of the Veterans' Entitlements Act (VEA);

From 2 July 1987, the VEA was amended to implement 'Poverty Traps' reforms. These provided that for service pensioners:

Rent assistance became an addition to pension similar to APC (new s55 of the VEA specified the operation of rent assistance;
Income that could be earned, before APC was reduced, was substantially increased;
An order of reduction was specified where pension was reduced under the income or assets tests, this took into account the non-taxability of APC, guardian's allowance.

From 2 July 1987, the maximum deduction of income in respect of a dependent child was doubled. The increase in deduction for a child did not apply to the calculation of income for fringe benefits purposes. The method of calculating income under the income test for service pension was amended in respect of a child of a pensioner. For the pensioner's income to be reduced in respect of a child, the child had to be a dependent child;
From 1 September 1987, special temporary allowance could be reduced where, following the death of a pensioner, pension had been credited to a joint account before the Department had been advised of the death;
From 1 September 1987, recovery of overpayments provisions were extended to allow recovery under both the VEA and SWPA Acts, of amounts overpaid under the SSA, the SWPA Act or the VEA. On debts over $50, a charge of $15 plus 10 per cent of the amount outstanding after three months (up to a maximum charge of $515) was also payable;
From 1 September 1987, both the VEA and the SWPA Act were amended to provide for extended powers of garnishment, which correspond to those inserted into the SSA;
From 1 October 1987, service pension residence requirements were changed as follows:

the term 'resident of Australia and physically present in Australia' was changed to 'Australian resident and is in Australia' (this protected non-indigenous PNG residents at the time of independence);
carer service pension ceased if the carer left Australia; and
APC for a child of a pensioner was only payable if the child was an Australian resident, or had been, and was living overseas with the pensioner.

From 4 November 1987, earnings credit was introduced to allow pensioners to take up paid work without suffering an immediate reduction in entitlements. The earnings credit accrued fortnightly, by the difference between the income free area and the pensioners income, if any, below the income free area. The maximum that could be accrued was $1 000. When employment was undertaken, the credits could be drawn upon, without affecting pension, until the credit was exhausted. When remuneration from employment fell below the income free area, the credit could accrue again;
13 November 1987, financial hardship provisions were changed so that they could apply to a service pensioner from up to six months before the date on which the application was lodged. Appeal provisions applied. A statutory formula was provided as a basis for determining the potential income to be taken into account for the property;
13 November 1987, financial hardship provisions introduced for service pensions.
13 December 1987, a service pensioner who disposed of the resource of income for less than adequate consideration, in the course of ceasing employment, a business or profession, had that income maintained in the pension assessment;
17 December 1987, rates of clothing, attendant and recreation transport allowances were increased;
Separate income test on rent abolished and rent assistance became an addition to Service Pension in the same way as APC for children and guardian allowance;
VHSP abolished and amalgamated with the Governments new Home and Community Care Program, providing support at home to all aged needy frail person in the community;
Pensioners overseas paid into Australian accounts only;
Savings provisions for government tenants were abolished and the separate income test on rent assistance was removed;
For taxation purposes, service pension reduced first as a result of the income/assets test, followed by rent assistance, APC and guardians allowance;
'Poverty Traps' reduction changes, July 1987:

Basic income limits increased from $60 to $80 per fortnight for single pensioners and from $100 to $140 per fortnight for married couples;
APC increased from $12 to $24 per fortnight for an unmarried veteran or service pensioner or carer and from $6 to $12 per fortnight for a married service pensioner.

The VEA was amended to clarify the intention that a wife's service pension, payable after the death of a veteran, did not include payment of APC or reduction in assessable income due to dependent children. Payment could include an increase in pension for rent;
The Secretary could notify pensioners, in a booklet issued with an advice letter, of their obligations to inform him of specified events;
The period in which a pensioner may seek a review by the VRB into a decision relating to attendant allowance was limited to three months;
Provisions for the VRB to set a date from which a decision would operate were amended;
Some former dependant's pensions which continue to be paid were subject to review as a result of other compensation payable. Review provisions were amended to prevent a double reduction in pension as a result of the one other compensation payment;
The SWPA Act provisions on attendant allowance were amended to specify how he allowance was to be claimed, and the effective date of payment;
The SWPA Act was amended to allow the Commission to review decisions on certain allowances and benefits and to specify how the Commission was to conduct reviews;
The Minister can make determinations which deem certain classes of persons (mainly members of philanthropic organisations) to be members of the Defence Force. From 27 October 1986, the cut off date for service of 11 January 1973 was removed;
The Commission was given authority to take evidence in relation to a claim for attendant allowance. A written statement of the decision and reasons concerning the claim must be given to the person affected;
As part of the family allowance supplement package, rates of APC were restructured with effect from 17 December 1987. The highest level of assistance went to pensioners with children aged between 13 and 15;
T&PI and intermediate rates of pension once granted will continue to be payable for the veteran's lifetime;
A “period of grace” was introduced for pensioners who lost their eligibility for fringe benefits but whose private income rose by no more than 25 per cent of the fringe benefits cut off levels. This provision allowed veterans to retain their eligibility for fringe benefits for a period of 13 weeks from the date of cancellation;
Service pension benefits for a child to continue for 13 weeks after the child leaves full time education;
Decoration Allowance became payable for the award of the MBE for gallantry in war or war-like decorations. Provision was made to add to the list of Australian awards, by regulation;
In regard to payment of a service pension to a person other than the pensioner the following changes were made:

the pensioner must request in writing that an agent be appointed;
the other person must agree to act as agent;
the Commission has no responsibility to oversee the agent arrangement; and
in the case of a trustee being appointed the Commission must be satisfied that the arrangements desirable because of the pensioner's age, ill health or improvidence.

Provisions relating to payments after the death of a pensioner were amended;
Provisions relating to contracts for services provided by visiting medical officers were amended after advice from the Attorney General's Department;
Minister appointed committee to consider claims for compensation for Australian veterans who were illegally interned into Nazi Concentration Camps during World War II;
The VEA was amended to give the Commission clear authority to assess disability pension rate and to set the date of operation, in circumstances where either the AAT or the VRB remitted the matter back to the Commission;
Under both the VEA and the SWPA Act, the power of the Commission to review a disability pension assessment was strengthened where a veteran failed to co-operate with investigations;
The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands and the Territory of Christmas Island were included as remote areas for the payment of remote area allowance;
For property values in relation to the fringe benefits thresholds a mechanism was provided which automatically maintained the difference between property owners and non property owners;
For many years Australian mariners and their eligible dependants had been treated in Repatriation Hospitals. These arrangements were formalised in legislation following advice from the Attorney General's Department;
All DSH further advance loans may become portable upon request. Further advances were introduced in September 1923, and are designed to enable borrowers to have continued access to housing benefits over another 25 years. Along with the standard eligibility requirements, persons must have an outstanding loan at 9 December 1987, or have received one after this date. Any persons that have been in receipt of a DSH loan but have been in receipt of discharged from the forces for misconduct or misbehaviour will be ineligible for a further advance. All new loans under the defence service homes initial advance were made portable from home tot home from 9 December;
full medical treatment extended to returned ex-servicewomen of World War II; and
Government announces policy to divest repatriation hospitals and facilities. Policy implemented over subsequent nine years.

1988

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was the Hon B C Humphreys.

1 January 1988, the definition of 'income support pension' was inserted into the VEA;
1 January 1988, new grants of APC in respect of prescribed students aged 16 or more were abolished. Savings provision applied;
1 January 1988, female veterans with operational service during World War 2 were given full treatment entitlements. Female veterans included nurses on hospital, and troopships, and in field hospitals outside Australia;
9 September 1988 GARP II introduced;
December 1988, GARP II superseded GARP 1;
The definition of 'accruing return investment' was inserted into the VEA. From 1 January 1988 pensioners who invested in accruing return investments were treated, under the income test, as though income was received throughout the period of investment;
Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986 amended after recommendation of the Veterans' Entitlement Act Monitoring Committee. Amendments included introduction of the Extreme Disablement Adjustment and the easing of eligibility criteria for intermediate and special rate pensions. Veterans now only need to be receiving or be eligible for a disability pension at 70 per cent of the general rate before consideration could be given to a TPI or Intermediate Rate pension;
Extreme Disablement Adjustment: a severely disabled veteran now eligible for additional payment at a further 50 per cent of the maximum general rate pension;
Children of deceased Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) veterans gain eligibility for the Veterans' Childrens Education Scheme;
report handed down from the Veterans' Entitlements Act Monitoring Committee; and
Government announcement of the intention to integrate Repatriation General Hospitals into State Health Systems by 1995.

1989

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was the Hon B C Humphreys.

18 February 1989, start of operational service in Namibia;
October 1989, Report of the Inquiry into the Needs of Australian Mariners, Commonwealth and Allied Veterans and Allied Mariners, presented to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs by Miss Jocelyn McGirr;
1 November 1989, eligibility for carers pension extended to include non-relatives, that is any person who provides constant care and attention for a veteran;
VEA amended to extend eligibility to any carer who provides the required level of care and attention. Eligibility for Carers pension extended to non relatives from 1 November 1989;
pensioners who are in approved respite care for 14 days or more may be paid the single rate of pension to both the veterans and the spouse;
$40 000 may be taken by veterans either in a lump sum or in instalments in a home equity conversion scheme. This money will be disregarded under asset testing;
Dapsone (antimalarial agent) study carried out by the National Health and Medical Research Council to determine the carcinogenicity of Dapsone;
introduction of Legislation to extend benefits to spouses of eligible female members;
telephone rental concession vouchers introduced;
Additional rent assistance made available to service pensioners with one or more dependent children;
ulcers, hepatitis B, anxiety state, psychiatric depression and strongyloidiasis accepted as war caused disabilities when claimed by ex Prisoners of War imprisoned in Japan;
pilot Veterans' Independence Program introduced in Townsville (QLD) Gosford and Rockdale (NSW) and Frankston (VIC); and
rates of education allowances payable to children over the age of 16 under the VCES aligned with AUSTUDY.

1990

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was the Hon B C Humphreys.

1 January 1990, Telephone Rental Concessions extended to World War I veterans;
1 January 1990, bereavement payment paid as a lump sum, one additional instalment to be paid in respect of a deceased service pensioner. Eligibility to receive service pension bereavement payment extended from 12 weeks to 14 weeks;
1 January 1990, Indexation of guardians allowance introduced;
10 April 1990, end of operational area for Namibia;
2 August 1990, start of operational service for personnel who served in the Gulf War;
21 August 1990, eligibility for payment of non-taxable lump sum of $10 000, previously given to surviving ex-prisoners of war who were interned in Nazi concentration camps during World War II now extended to Australian merchant mariners;
1 September 1990, Free Limbs Scheme to be replaced by the Artificial Limbs Scheme. Features of this scheme included a patient contribution of 15 per cent of the scheduled cost of services under the scheme up to a maximum of $200 per patient per financial year and greater jurisdiction being required for early replacement of Artificial Limbs;
Pharmaceutical allowance was introduced 1 November 1990. Pharmaceutical allowance to cover the cost of pharmaceuticals introduced for eligible veterans in September 1991. A pharmaceutical supplement, paid in a lump sum, existed in the interim period;
VEA Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991 passed by both houses and received Royal Assent on 24 December 1991. RPBS reformed and indexation of earnings credit;
DSH extended portability to assist in meeting the cost of any entry charges to retirement villages, this includes all borrowers who had outstanding DSH loans from 9 December 1982;
Enhanced rent verification procedures introduced;
report of the Major Review of the Health Program;
75th Anniversary trip to Gallipoli;
World War I and World War II mariners granted Repatriation treatment benefits on the same basis as Australian War Veterans;
introduction of legislation to extend benefits to spouses of eligible female members and veterans. Automatic grant of a war widow pension to widows of veterans who receive EDA (effective 22 December 1988);
Repatriation benefits extended to certain Torres Strait Islanders and Aborigines who provided services during World War II;
carers will receive allowance for 14 weeks after the death of a veterans which they were caring for;
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was added to the list of decorations for which Decoration Allowance is paid;
War widowers placed on an equal basis with war widows under the VEA;
Payment of the lower rates of funeral benefit ($20 and $40) was abolished with the introduction of the disability pension bereavement payment; and
Service Pension (invalidity) became the Invalidity Service Pension.

1991

The Prime Minister was the Hon R J L Hawke (Labor) until December when the Hon P J Keating (Labor) became Prime Minister. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was the Hon B C Humphreys.

23 February 1991, start of operational service Iraq and Kuwait;
June 1991, the collection of Tax File Numbers commenced in line with the Government's policy to run data matching exercises between all departments that issue pensions and allowances and the Taxation Department;
9 June 1991, end of operational service for personnel who served in the Gulf War, Iraq and Kuwait;
Basic income limit indexed from July 1991;
plain English rewrite of Part III of the VEA commenced 1 July 1991 to simplify the wording and the arrangement of service pension provisions;
20 October 1991, start of operational service for Cambodia and an area 50 kilometres into Laos and Thailand;
1 December 1991, Australian Mariners of World War I and World War II granted treatment benefits on the same basis as Australian veterans;
In the 1991/92 Budget a cap was placed on the amount of exemption available on the Sales Tax Exemption on Motor vehicles, the cap was set at the luxury car threshold;
Partner of a female veteran now eligible to apply as a male dependant;
Savings provisions, for pensioners who lost fringe benefits due to deeming provisions, were introduced; and
Rent assistance became indexed and increased twice a year in line with CPI increases. Additional amounts of rent assistance are payable for dependent children. Disability pension continues to be included as income when assessing eligibility for rent assistance.

1992

The Prime Minister was the Hon P J Keating (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon John Faulkner.

first National Veterans' Health Week held in May 1992;
July 1992, GARP 3 superseded GARP 2;
1 September 1992, acceptance of certain conditions for ex POWs from the European and Korean theatres. DVA benefits are extended by removing the present financial limit of $440 on dental treatment and accepting all diagnosed psychiatric disorders or peptic ulcerative diseases as being war caused;
1 September 1992, all diagnosed psychiatric disorders or peptic ulcerative diseases accepted as war caused when claimed by ex Prisoners of War imprisoned in Europe and Korean theatres;
20 October 1992, start of operational area for Somalia;
December 1992, Auditor-General's report on compensation pensions to veterans and war widows was presented to Parliament. This report contained 50 recommendations and covering such areas as the quantity of disability and war widow pensions, the assessment of pensions and the administration of the sub-program;
war widowers placed on an equal basis with war widows under the VEA;
pension instalments of equal rate paid to each member of a couple;
commenced twice yearly indexation of maximum rate of rent assistance;
The size of areas considered to be remote was extended to include additional remote areas of population;
World War 1 veterans and mariners became entitled to the whole of the annual telephone rental charge. Others eligible receive about 35 per cent of the charge and this amount is indexed annually;
The voucher scheme for telephone rental concession ceased, and was replaced by telephone allowance payments made quarterly into the pensioners nominated account;
The household income limit test which had applied under the telephone voucher scheme ceased;
Periodical Lifestyle Questionnaire and Procedures - Veterans have three options on how to have lifestyle assessed;
acceptance of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for Vietnam veterans;
Repatriation General Hospital Hobart transferred to Tasmania State Health System;
amendment to VEA to provide benefits for Australian Defence Force personnel who served with United Nations forces in Cambodia;
VEA amended to allow a carer receiving a Carer's pension to live either in the home of the Veteran or adjacent to it;
the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare presented their final report on the study of the carcinogenicity of Dapsone in Vietnam Veterans. The study concluded that there was no definite evidence that Vietnam service and the taking of Dapsone caused and increased risk of cancer;
Patient contribution introduced for veterans eligible for medications under the RPBS. They also became entitled to the pharmaceutical allowance;
Funeral benefit became payable automatically to the estate of a Veteran who was eligible to receive pension at the special rate or where the veteran's pension had been increased under section 27 (items 1 – 8); and
cap placed on the amount of sales tax exemption available on motor vehicles. The cap was set at the luxury car threshold.

1993

The Prime Minister was the Hon P J Keating (Labor). The Minister for Veterans' Affairs was Senator the Hon John Faulkner.

1 January 1993, special pension granted to widows/widowers of Ex Prisoners of War;
1 January 1993, extension of 'DAY CARE' Clubs for Veterans;
1 January 1993, Defence Service Homes (DSH) Act amended, DSH Loans can now be used to repair or renovate existing houses; or discharge an existing mortgage which was previously only possible where the applicant met hardship guidelines. New benefits will be available to all those people who have a used entitlement under the DSH Act. Changes applied to three major types of DSH Advances;
1 January 1993, a special pension to widow/ers of ex POWs will be available where the widow/er would not otherwise have been granted a war widow/ers pension or the ex-POW at the time of death was being paid, or was eligible to receive a Disability Pension. This special pension will be equal in value to the war widows/ers pension, other benefits which are currently extended to war widow/ers will also be available to those widow/ers of ex POWs;
7 January 1993, Remote Area Allowance increased to $17.50 per fortnight (single) and $15.00 per fortnight (married);
From January, the Veterans' Childrens Education Scheme was revised, as follows:

It is now a compensatory Scheme;
As there is no way of testing whether or not a child is 'prepared for a suitable career' that requirement has now been removed; and
The income test for students over 16 years was abolished.

4 February 1993, DVA pensions increased;
1 April 1993, Rent Assistance reformed, these changes seen as an initial step towards an affordability based approach to housing with additional assistance directed to those in greatest need;
The income and assets test for fringe benefits were abolished and fringe benefits were extended to all service pensioners from 1 April 1993. These pensioners were issued with a Pensioner Health Benefits (PHB) Card and became eligible for the full range of non-DVA Commonwealth fringe benefits including the telephone allowance, concessions on the cost of pharmaceutical prescriptions, free hearing aids through the Australian Health Services, concessional travel on Australian National Railways and postal redirection concessions;
In June 1993, the Australian Mariners' Children Education Scheme (AMCES) was introduced. The AMCES provides the same benefits as the Veterans' Children Education Scheme but it only applied to eligible children of Australian Mariners;
7 October 1993, was the end of the operational area for Cambodia and the area extending 50 kilometres into Laos and Thailand;
Eligibility for war widow's pension extended to spouses and partners of former Australian prisoners of war (POWs) in recognition of the trauma of incarceration and ongoing difficulties of re-adjustment experienced by former POWs and their families;
Funding for support of military commemorations for the period 1992/93 to 1995/96. This is to enable support for campaign commemorations, significant anniversaries, for example World War 1, World War 2, or the dedication of Memorials, for example National Vietnam Memorial;
Repatriation General Hospital Concord transferred to New South Wales State Health System;
Pharmaceutical Allowance was included in the income and assets tests calculation for service pensioners. Previously it was not included in the calculation but was paid to service pensioners who were in receipt of at least $1 per fortnight of service pension. This change increased the cut-out point of service pension and allowed pensioners to have more income before they lost pension (and fringe benefits);
The rate of remote area allowance was increased by 25 per cent;
Single rent threshold was replaced with four new thresholds which are dependent on family circumstances. These thresholds are indexed twice yearly. The rate of assistance above the rent threshold was increased from 50 cents in the dollar to 75 cents in the dollar;
A savings provision introduced in 1993 protected those pensioners who were already receiving rent assistance at the time of implementation and who would have been entitled to a reduced rate as a result of the changes in thresholds;
Respite period increased from 28 to 42 days within a calendar year before eligibility for carer service pension lost;
Carers allowed to travel overseas during a period when they temporarily cease to provide care;
Carers were able to undertake training, education or employment for up to ten hours per week;
Carers were permitted to access earnings credit arrangements;
Lump sum bereavement payments were extended to carers; and
amendment to the VEA to provide benefits for Australian Defence Force personnel who served with the United Nations forces in Somalia.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/history-library/part-2-repatriation-history/s-8-1984-1993