DATE OF ISSUE: 16 JANUARY 1995
ALLOTTED FOR DUTY - SERVICE IN THE OPERATIONAL AREA
PURPOSE
This instruction clarifies Commission policy for determining operational service in respect to members of the defence force who were allotted for duty in an operational area but who did not actually serve in that operational area.
This includes service with Army units which were allotted for duty in Korea but served solely in Japan, service with the Navy aboard ships such as HMAS Vengeance and shore bases such as HMAS Commonwealth which although allotted for duty in Korea, did not serve in the operational area.
BACKGROUND
In 1950 the Repatriation Act 1920 was amended to provide eligibility for disability pension for persons, or members of units, who were "allotted for duty" in an operational area. Korea and Malaya were declared as operational areas for the purposes of the Repatriation Act 1920.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
The Minister has approved recommendations that the VEA be amended as follows;
eligibility to apply for disability pension for ex-servicemen who were allotted for duty in an operational area only to:
-those veterans who had actual service in an operational area at a time when it was designated as an operational area, and
-those veterans deemed by the Minister under (amended) Section 5R to have rendered service in an operational area for the purpose of Section 6.
This will enable those veterans who were allotted to Korea and served in Japan to be eligible to apply for benefits. This will not apply to veterans who were allotted for duty in Malaya but did not actually serve in the operational area.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY BRANCH OFFICES
As these amendments have not been introduced into Parliament, it will be necessary to collect and keep names of those applicants who were allotted to Korea and served in Japan, so that they can be contacted by the Department when these changes are legislated and informed of their eligibility to apply for benefits. Until that time disability pensions for the Korea/Malaya conflict should only be considered if the veteran has actually served in an operational area. A separate Departmental Instruction (B43/94) has been issued on Income Support aspects.
CONTACT OFFICER
The contact officer for enquiries regarding this policy is Murray Chynoweth, Compensation and Review Branch, Central Office. Tel (06) 289 6340.
G J COLLINS
A/G NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR
BENEFITS