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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
2019
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
THE SENATE
Presented and read a first time
Australian Veterans' Recognition
(Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
No. , 2019
(Veterans' Affairs)
A Bill for an Act to provide for the recognition of
veterans, and for related purposes
No. , 2019
Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
i
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary
1
1
Short title ........................................................................................... 1
2
Commencement ................................................................................. 2
3
Object of this Act............................................................................... 2
4
Definitions ......................................................................................... 2
Part 2--Recognition of veterans and their families
3
5
General recognition ........................................................................... 3
6
Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant ............................................ 3
7
Beneficial interpretation of legislation............................................... 4
8
Cooperation ....................................................................................... 4
Part 3--Issue of pins, cards or other artefacts
5
9
Issue of pins, cards or other artefacts ................................................. 5
Part 4--Other matters
6
10
Part 2 does not create or give rise to rights or obligations ................. 6
11
Act not intended to exclude similar State or Territory laws .............. 6
Schedule 1--Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant
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No. , 2019
Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
1
A Bill for an Act to provide for the recognition of
1
veterans, and for related purposes
2
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
3
Part 1--Preliminary
4
5
1 Short title
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This Act is the Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans
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and Their Families First) Act 2019.
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Part 1 Preliminary
Section 2
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Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
No. , 2019
2 Commencement
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(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table
2
commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with
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column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect
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according to its terms.
5
6
Commencement information
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Provisions
Commencement
Date/Details
1. The whole of
this Act
The day after this Act receives the Royal
Assent.
Note:
This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally
7
enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of
8
this Act.
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(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act.
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Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it
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may be edited, in any published version of this Act.
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3 Object of this Act
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The object of this Act is to acknowledge the unique nature of
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military service and the sacrifice demanded of those who commit
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to defend our nation.
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4 Definitions
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In this Act:
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Permanent Forces has the same meaning as in the Defence Act
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1903.
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Reserves has the same meaning as in the Defence Act 1903.
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veteran means a person who has served, or is serving, as a member
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of the Permanent Forces or as a member of the Reserves.
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Recognition of veterans and their families Part 2
Section 5
No. , 2019
Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
3
Part 2--Recognition of veterans and their families
1
2
5 General recognition
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(1) The Commonwealth acknowledges the unique nature of military
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service and the sacrifice demanded of those who commit to defend
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our nation.
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(2) The Commonwealth acknowledges the demands placed on, and the
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sacrifices made by, the families of veterans.
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(3) The Commonwealth acknowledges that veterans may require
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support mechanisms to enjoy good health, to access employment
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and training opportunities, to access appropriate housing, to have
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access to justice, to enjoy social wellbeing or to participate in
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community engagement after the end of their military service.
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(4) The Commonwealth is committed to supporting veterans and
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providing the care and support they require.
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(5) The Commonwealth acknowledges that support for veterans should
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be provided in a way that respects their dignity as individuals,
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enhances their self-esteem, is sensitive to any physical or mental
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injury or disease they may have suffered and respects their military
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service.
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(6) The Commonwealth acknowledges that veterans should be
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supported to achieve greater economic wellbeing and sustainability
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and greater participation in civic affairs and should have
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opportunities to participate in employment and education.
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6 Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant
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The Parliament, on behalf of the people of Australia, endorses the
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Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant set out in Schedule 1.
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Part 2 Recognition of veterans and their families
Section 7
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Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
No. , 2019
7 Beneficial interpretation of legislation
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(1) The Commonwealth is committed to decision-makers interpreting
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a provision of the following legislation in a way that benefits
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veterans, or their families, where that interpretation is consistent
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with the purpose of that provision:
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(a) the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986;
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(b) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004;
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(c) the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation
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(Defence-related Claims) Act 1988;
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(d) instruments under those Acts.
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(2) The Commonwealth is committed to decision-makers deciding
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claims under that legislation:
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(a) in a manner that is fair, just and consistent; and
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(b) within a time that is proportionate to the complexity of the
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matter; and
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(c) in a manner that promotes public trust and confidence; and
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(d) on the basis of only requiring evidence sufficient to meet the
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relevant standard of proof for the claims.
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8 Cooperation
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The Commonwealth is committed to working cooperatively with
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veterans, their families and ex-service organisations to address
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issues facing veterans.
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Issue of pins, cards or other artefacts Part 3
Section 9
No. , 2019
Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
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Part 3--Issue of pins, cards or other artefacts
1
2
9 Issue of pins, cards or other artefacts
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(1) The Commonwealth may issue pins, cards or other artefacts to
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veterans in recognition of the military service of veterans.
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(2) The Commonwealth may issue pins, cards or other artefacts to
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family members of veterans in recognition of:
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(a) the military service of veterans; or
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(b) the demands placed on, and the sacrifices made by, the
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families of veterans.
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Part 4 Other matters
Section 10
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Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
No. , 2019
Part 4--Other matters
1
2
10 Part 2 does not create or give rise to rights or obligations
3
(1) Part 2 does not, by its terms or operation, create or give rise to any
4
rights (whether substantive or procedural), or obligations, that are
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legally enforceable in judicial or other proceedings.
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(2) A failure to comply with Part 2 does not affect the validity of any
7
decision, and is not a ground for the review or challenge of any
8
decision.
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(3) No action, suit or proceeding is to be instituted in reliance on the
10
terms of Part 2 or the operation of that Part.
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11 Act not intended to exclude similar State or Territory laws
12
This Act is not intended to apply to the exclusion of any law of a
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State or Territory that provides for the recognition of veterans or
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their families.
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Australian Defence Veterans' Covenant Schedule 1
No. , 2019
Australian Veterans' Recognition (Putting Veterans and Their Families
First) Bill 2019
7
Schedule 1--Australian Defence Veterans'
1
Covenant
2
Note:
See section 6.
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