External

This Section includes years from 1954 to 1963.

1955

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper.

  • amendments to the Act liberalised the means test applicable to Service Pensions payable to dependants (other than wives, widows and children) of deceased and incapacitated members.  The liberalised conditions permitted the amount of Attendants Allowance payable under the Second and Fifth Schedules to the Act to be disregarded in assessing Service Pensions.

1956

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper.

  • 19 April 1956, operational service in Korea ends;
  • 1 June 1956, United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation commenced to be a Peacekeeping Force;
  • provision was made for Recreation Transport Allowance and Decoration Allowance to be disregarded in assessing service pension;
  • a further amendment to the Act gave the Commission authority to disregard, in connection with the means test for service pension purposes, the value of the whole or any part of the property of a service pensioner, or of an applicant for service pension, if the circumstances warranted the value of the property being disregarded;
  • introduction of Repatriation (Far East Strategic Reserve) Act which applies to service during the period 1 September 1957 to 27 May 1963 while allotted for duty in Malaya or Singapore as part of, or in conjunction with, the Australian contingent or other Dominion forces forming part of the British Commonwealth Far East Strategic Reserve (operative from 1 September 1957); and
  • introduction of full time medical officers at Repatriation Artificial Limb and Appliance Centres (RALACs) to ensure that the medical prescription for the supply of any limb or appliance is correctly carried out.  Each Medical Officer also responsible for 'passing' medically the limb or appliance before issue to the patient and for supervision of the training for correct use of the limb.

1957

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper.

  • 31 August 1957, operational service in Malaya ends;
  • 1 September 1957, operational area in the Federation of Malaya and the Colony of Singapore commences; and
  • introduction of the Native Members of the Forces Benefits Act extending benefits to native members of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

1958

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper.

  • nurses of World War I became eligible for treatment, (introduced by Cabinet); and
  • Supplementary Assistance or 'rent allowance' for service pensioners was introduced.

1959

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper.

  • Clothing Allowance was introduced.  This was granted automatically to pensioners suffering from loss of a limb or limbs or any other incapacity, treatment of which resulted in exceptional wear and tear or damage to clothing; and
  • extension of free medical treatment to war widows, children of deceased members and certain widowed mothers covering treatment in non-departmental institutions, departmental out-patient clinics, specialist treatment and payment of travelling expenses.

1960

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was Senator the Hon W J Cooper until 29 December when the Hon F M Osborne became the Minister responsible for Repatriation.

  • 1 August 1960, United Nations Operations in the Congo commenced to be a Peacekeeping Force;
  • free medical treatment benefits were extended to eligible service pensioners; and
  • extension of free medical treatment to service pensioners who qualify for fringe benefits.

1961

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was the Hon F M Osborne until 22 December when the Hon R W C Swartz became the Minister responsible for Repatriation.

  • treatment for service pensioners introduced.

1962

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was the Hon R W C Swartz.

  • 24 May 1962, the Defence Minister, Mr Townley, stated that Australia was sending a group of Military Instructors to the Republic of Vietnam at the invitation of that Government.  The first Military Advisers, the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV), arrived in Vietnam in July 1962 and were deployed with US Advisory Units;
  • 1962/63 Service Pension eligibility, was extended to Torres Strait Islanders who had served during World War 2;
  • residency requirements reduced from 20 to 10 years; and
  • the Repatriation (Special Overseas Service) Act was introduced relating to 'special service', being service in, or when proceeding to or from, a proclaimed area affected by war-like operations while allotted for duty directly related to those operations, from 31 July 1962.  Provision exists also for those who, while not allotted for 'special service', became incapacitated or died as a result of action by hostile forces.  The proclaimed areas comprise an area in the north of Malaya and the southern zone of Vietnam.  This Act replaces the Repatriation (Far East Strategic Reserve) Act for special service in Malaya subsequent to 27 May 1963; Central Development Unit began operation.

1963

The Hon R G Menzies (Liberal) was the Prime Minister.  The Minister for Repatriation was the Hon R W C Swartz.

  • 1 January 1963, United Nations Yemen Observation Mission commenced to be a Peacekeeping Force;
  • 27 May 1963, operational area in the Federation of Malaya and the Colony of Singapore ends;
  • the means test was removed on 'medical sustenance' by not taking into account any salary, wages or earnings accruing to a patient during the period for which sustenance was payable;
  • provision was made for the grant of funeral benefits to a service pensioner or an applicant for service pension and who would have been granted one but for his death;
  • extension of medical treatment to war widows and children of deceased members of the 1914 - 18 War (home service);
  • provision for the grant, restoration or continuation of service pension in respect of a 'student' child of a service pensioner who has attained 16 years of age but is under 18 years of age and is receiving full-time education at a school, college or university; and
  • right of appeal broadened to include claims under section 37(3).