DCA 73 - MILITARY COMPENSATION ACT 1994

DEFENCE COMPENSATION ADVICE - NO. 73

Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988

MILITARY COMPENSATION ACT 1994

1.  The purpose of this DCA is to formally notify delegates of the commencement of the Military Compensation Act 1994 (MCA).

2.  The MCA received royal assent, and commenced operation, on 7 April 1994. The MCA is essentially an amendment Act which amends various sections of the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRC Act) and the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). The three Acts - the MCA, SRC Act and VEA - form what is more commonly known as the Military Compensation Scheme.

3.  On 28 April 1994, representatives from Defence Centre Compensation and Rehabilitation sections attended a one day training course in Canberra covering the MCA provisions as well as the new arrangements for "dual eligibility" to claim compensation under the MCA/SRC Act and the VEA. An attendance list together with the training program for 28 April, is attached for information.

4.  At the conclusion of the course, each office was provided with an MCS "Survival Kit" containing detailed support documentation. A list of material provided follows:

Military Compensation Bill;

Amendment to MC Bill;

Explanatory memorandum to Bill and the amendment;

MCA Trainer's Manual plus overhead transparencies; and

Floppy disk containing MCA training and presentation material.

5.  Ample copies of the MCA have been obtained and will be distributed at the Managers' Meeting commencing on 9 May 1994.

6.  All delegates are required to be familiar with the material contained in the survival kit and fully conversant with the changes under the MC Scheme. Managers are encouraged to facilitate this by nominating a training officer locally to "walk" delegates, who did not attend the course on 28 April, through the MCA training package.

7.  Since the additional provisions under the MCA will be new to most delegates, I anticipate there being some teething problems and queries relating to interpretation and procedures. I strongly recommend, for purposes of consistency of approach, that any delegates with questions about the MCS contact Paul Reis on (06) 2668637.

Klaus U Popp

DMCR

May 1994

Department   of   Defence

MINUTE

DM89-27677

ACT Claims

DC, Sydney

DC, Melbourne

DC, Brisbane

DC, Perth

DC, Adelaide

DC, Hobart

DAO, Townsville

Attention: Manager Compensation & Rehabilitation

Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 - Defence Compensation Advice No.73

1.  Attached is a copy of DCA No.73 which provides notification of the Military Compensation Act 1994.

2.  Please ensure that all action officers are provided with a copy of DCA No.73.

Paul Reis

Executive Officer

Compensation & Rehabilitation

May 1994