C12/2009 Amendment to Schedule 2 of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) to include new operational area for DAMASK VI area of operations

Amends DI No.

Replaces DI No.

Purpose

To advise that a new operational area has been added to Schedule 2 of the VEA to include the Operation DAMASK VI area of operations for the period of 13 to 19 January 1993.

Introduction

Following a recent review by the Nature of Service Review Team within the Department of Defence, it was agreed that the Area of Operations of Operation DAMASK VI, during the period from and including 13 January 1993 to and including 19 January 1993, should be classified as an 'operational area' for the purposes of the VEA.  During this period, the Operation DAMASK VI Area of Operations was the area of the Red Sea north of parallel 20 degrees north latitude.

The legislation giving effect to this change which is contained within the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Pension Reform and Other 2009 Budget Measures) Act 2009, received Royal Assent on 29 June 2009.

Allotment by Defence

The Vice Chief of Defence Force has now retrospectively allotted for duty HMAS Canberra as part of Operation DAMASK VI during the period of 13 January to 19 January 1993.

Eligible personnel

This change to the VEA and subsequent allotment for duty of HMAS Canberra by the Vice Chief of Defence Force, will give all 213 Australian Defence Force personnel who served on board the vessel during the period 13 – 19 January 1993 qualifying service under the VEA.

This change took effect from 29 June 2009, the day the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Pension Reform and Other 2009 Budget Measures) Act 2009 received Royal Assent. Claims for qualifying service, service pension and Gold Card may be granted from this date or the date the veteran's claim is lodged, whichever is later.

Eligibility will be determined by service on board HMAS Canberra as part of Operation DAMASK VI in the operational area and specified time period. No changes to Defence Force personnel records will be required as postings to HMAS Canberra should already be reflected.

Contact

Any queries regarding this instruction should be directed to Martin Page on (02) 6289 6309 or by e-mail to martin.page@dva.gov.au.