Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Burston for his question and for giving me some notice of that. I do recognise that this is a matter of significant interest for the senator and acknowledge the adjournment speech he gave to the Senate on this matter last week. All Australian Defence Force service is appropriately classified in accordance with the legislation and the policies that existed at the time of service. Defence is aware that there are claims of perceived anomalies with regard to classification of past service. Where these are brought to Defence's attention, they are investigated and remediated as appropriate.

I would say through you, Mr President, to the senator that the two reviews which are referred to in his question were indeed unrelated in scope. The Mohr review, to which he has referred, looked at claimed anomalies in respect of South-East Asian service from 1955 to 1975 with a focus on medallic recognition. Of the submissions received, written submissions totalled 750 and 400 oral submissions were made at public hearings. The comprehensive report was received, and it said:

Representatives of the major ex-Service organisations that made submissions to the Review indicated their general acceptance of its independence, and any subsequent recommendation.

The second review—the Clarke review of veterans' entitlements of January 2003—encompassed a review of repatriation legislation and some perceived anomalies in the entitlements legislation. It consulted extensively with the ex-service community, held many meetings between May and September of 2002 and considered over 3,000 submissions. It became, at the time, very clear to the committee that there was much misunderstanding about the system and the applicable legislation. The committee made 109 recommendations across the range of issues it considered in terms of those perceived anomalies, access to veterans entitlements and level of benefits and support provided to— (Time expired)