THE HON AMANDA RISHWORTH MP SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE PERSONNEL FEDERAL MEMBER FOR KINGSTON LABOR WELCOMES GOVERNMENT BACKFLIP ON VETERANS LEGISLATION Labor has welcomed the Government’s backflip to protect the unique nature of the veterans review board as a place where veterans can appeal decisions made by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). Labor had previously urged the Government to abandon the proposal that could limit the rights of veterans’ appeals to be heard by the Veterans Review Board (VRB). Subsequently Labor had proposed amendments to Schedule 1, section 6 of the Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2017 bill to remove the ability for their applications to the VRB to be dismissed on terms considered to be frivolous, vexatious or no reasonable prospect of success. Labor had proposed amendments that would ensure every veteran would have the ability to present their case to the VRB. This was in contrast with the Government’s proposal that could have seen the principle member of the VRB dismiss applications for review based on their assessment that the claim was frivolous, vexatious, misconceived, lacking substance or which had no reasonable prospect of success. While Labor welcomes the aligning of the principals of the VRB and the AAT, we believe that the nature of the VRB ensures veteran’s appeals are heard in a less adversarial environment and should be preserved, noting that veterans are not able to be represented by lawyers at the VRB. Removing this section from the bill ensures every veteran continues to have an opportunity to be heard at the Veterans Review Board. It was clear in consultation with peak ex-service organisations, that provisions in this bill were not in line with the expectations of the veterans and ex-service community. Labor is pleased to support the amendments to this bill as they are made in the best interests of veterans. WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2017