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Launch of Law Commission's "Towards a New Veterans’ Entitlements Scheme: A Discussion paper on a Review of the War Pensions Act 1954"Remarks at the Launch by the RNZRSA National President Robin Klitscher at Parliament on 31 July 2008.From the RSA's point of view, this is a momentous day. Fifty years on, we follow in the footsteps of some very capable and very accomplished people, who were veterans, and who had more than a hand in writing the War Pensions Act 1954 – the late Sir John White, for example, was one of them. What we celebrate today could be taken to be critical of the work that they did. But that is not so. They did well for the times in which they did it, and the marvel is that what they did served so many veterans as well as it did for so long. Over time, the nature of operations has changed. Everybody knows that. But the social and legislative framework has also changed, and it’s time to acccept that the provisions set so long ago are no longer in proper sync with today’s conditions. This is a very large task. It would have to be the largest task undertaken
by and on behalf of veterans’ organisations in more than a generation.
And we are well aware of the quality of those who have gone before –
like Sir John White and other RSA I’m sure that they would approve of what we are now doing. But we also have an obligation to them to ensure that the standards they set for their times are equalled or bettered by us for our times, and for decades ahead. Which does nothing if not emphasise how big this call really is, as we head into the 21st Century. The past has set us high standards for the future. We of the RNZRSA and its Affiliates are pledged to play our part. We have been consulted in the development of this discussion document. I say to the veterans gathered here, however, and will say to others elsewhere in coming weeks and months, that this is not a policy document, nor is it the first draft of new law. It is what it says it is – a discussion document, designed to flush out the questions that must be answered, not to solve them at this stage. And so, what we the veterans must do is respond to those questions as honestly and as thoroughly as possible in order to get to the best answers. This document is the start of that process. The RNZRSA will be doing its own formal response to it. So, I hope, will individuals. Indeed, Sir Geoffrey Palmer will be travelling the country in October and November in order to encourage just that. And all of this is just one step in a process that will go on well into next year as the law is prepared for tabling in the House of Representatives and the ensuing Select Committee processes. It is most important that veterans remain engaged throughout all of this. I would like now to thank the Minister and the present Government for accepting that this needed to be done, and for setting the process in train through the Law Commission. Whatever the polls may deliver later in the year, I would hope that the processes now so energetically and productively put in hand by Minister Barker and his colleagues will continue, and will be brought to the conclusions as yet only in promise. We also thank Mr Barker for not falling into the misapprehension that Tribute08 was the end; done and dusted; everything fixed up in public; what's next? Tribute08 was certainly a part of the MoU. But only a part. I don't want to try to be Churchillian, but Tribute08 was not an end, only a beginning. That this Veterans' Entitlements Act process is now going on is evidence enough of that. And there are other important parts of the MoU that are yet to be implemented. None of us should lose sight of the fact that this is part of an ongoing process, not something that ended on the streets of Wellington in June. I would also like to thank Sir Geoffrey for his whole-hearted embrace
of this very large and complicated task. Indeed, on occasion we have had
to ask him to slow down a bit so that We also thank his staff, particularly Lecretia Seales and Marion Wilson who have produced what I think is the most thorough and most informative document on the New Zealand veteran support system ever produced. It gives us a very sound foundation from which to move forward. We in the veterans’ movements need now to take up the invitation it contains to ensure that the most satisfactory answers possible are achieved. Finally I would like to thank the NZDF but particularly VANZ itself as it takes up its new shape. It must be very difficult to work for such a prolonged period under the uncertainty not only of review and organizational upheavals, but also in the shadow of changes to the legal underpinnings. The fact that the system hasn’t collapsed altogether under the very heavy weight of scrutiny that has been its lot for an uncomfortably long time testifies to its fundamental soundness, and to the quality of those who are obliged to make it work. To them, in particular, we say “Thank You”. Law Commission's Issues Paper "Towards a New Veterans’ Entitlements Scheme: A Discussion paper on a Review of the War Pensions Act 1954" (NZLC IP7, Wellington 2008).The Commission welcomes any comments or submissions on the Paper. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 28 November 2008. Submissions should be directed to: Lecretia Seales Please note that the Law Commission has only a limited number of printed copies of the Paper. It can be downloaded free below or from the Law Commission website: Discussion
paper pg 1-104 Discussion
paper pg 105-286
LAW COMMISSION - ROAD SHOW
Nelson
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In Brief DP
pg 105-286 When: Submissions due by 28 November 2008. Note: The dates of the Consultation Meetings during Oct-Nov 2008 at RSAs throughout the country available on this page.
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