29 October 2008

War Pensions Act Re-Write: Let's Hear Your Voice!

The NZDF has been working on how best to arrange for those now serving to contribute to the War Pensions Act re-write process.

Measures taken include attendance, as observers, by a serving military representative at the Law Commission's "Roadshow" now being held at RSAs up and down the country. This is good, because it ensures that the serving Force is able to see first-hand what the issues really are, as seen by veterans – a unique and important opportunity.

The Defence Force will also be doing its own internal "roadshow" at camps and bases over the next few weeks. Accordingly we have arranged that the RSA interest will be represented at these sessions by District Presidents in their areas. This will enable us to hear first-hand what serving soldiers, sailors and airmen are saying, but also to make RSA views and capabilities known where appropriate.

These and other things illustrate how the public undertakings to improve connections between ex-Service organisations and the serving military are now beginning to be put into effect. But this is a two-way street. There is not much future in our just waiting for Defence to "do something". We must be proactive, and work at it too. After all, one-third of the currently serving military – about 5,000 – come under the present definitions of "veteran".

Here is an example of pro-active opportunity. The NZDF is running a questionnaire on their Web site, aimed at assisting the WPA rewrite process. We asked whether this opportunity could be made available to veterans as well. The answer was "Yes". In fact it was "Yes, of course".

You will find it on the NZDF website www.nzdf.mil.nz or simply click the link below:

War Pensions Act Review Online Survey (on NZDF website)

Whether or not you have done – or intend to do – a separate response to the Law Commission's discussion document, please also participate in the survey now made available by the NZDF. While it doesn’t cover everything you might want to say, it is part and parcel of the process, and is a great opportunity for you to make many points easily.

Regards to all,

Robin Klitscher
National President

Other information:

Law Commission Veterans Consultation Road Show (on this site)

Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand - War Pensions Entitlements (on NZDF website)

Questions and Answers (on NZDF website)

Law Commission's Issues Paper "Towards a New Veterans’ Entitlements Scheme: A Discussion paper on a Review of the War Pensions Act 1954"

Submissions

The Commission welcomes any comments or submissions on the Paper. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 28 November 2008.

RNZRSA Notes on Making a Submission
(70k PDF document)
Requires Acrobat Reader

Submissions should be directed to:

Lecretia Seales
Senior Legal and Policy Adviser
Law Commission
PO Box 2590
Wellington 6011
Email: veterans@lawcom.govt.nz

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
3.35MB PDF Document (requires Adobe Reader)
HTML (on the Law Commission website)

Discussion paper pg 105-286
1.59MB PDF Document (requires Adobe Reader)
HTML (on the Law Commission website)

In Brief
What: War Pensions Act Review Online Survey made available by the NZDF.
When: Available Now.
How: Click here to be directed to the online survey on the NZDF website.