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Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 14:11:37 +1000
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From: "Pye, Steve" <Steve.Pye@dva.gov.au>
Subject: Media Release VA26 - Veterans' Review Board head re-appointed
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VA26=09Thursday 4 April 2002

VETERANS' REVIEW BOARD HEAD RE-APPOINTED

The Principal Member of the Veterans' Review Board, Brigadier Bill Ro=
lfe
(Retired), has been re-appointed for a further three years, the Minis=
ter for
Veterans' Affairs, Danna Vale, announced today.

The Governor-General has approved the re-appointment, effective from =
8 April
2002.

Minister Vale said she welcomed Brigadier Rolfe's re-appointment.

"The Veterans' Review Board is a key part of the repatriation appeals
process and is highly regarded within the veteran community for its r=
ecord
of providing fair decisions.

"As the Principal Member of the VRB, Brigadier Rolfe is responsible f=
or the
management of the Board and the appeal cases brought by members of th=
e
veteran community.

"I am delighted that Brigadier Rolfe will continue to provide the Boa=
rd with
the benefit of his extensive military experience, as well as his lega=
l and
administrative skills," Minister Vale said.

Brigadier Rolfe has been the Board's Principal Member since 1997, fol=
lowing
a distinguished career in both the Australian Army and the public ser=
vice. A
graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, he served in Vietnam=
 before
undertaking a law degree at the Australian National University.=20

Brigadier Rolfe is also a graduate of both the Australian Army Comman=
d and
Staff College and the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Sch=
ool.

"The Veterans' Review Board is different in many ways to other merit =
review
tribunals, particularly in respect of the unique and specialised skil=
ls
which the members bring to the Board," Minister Vale said.

"Brigadier Rolfe's re-appointment will ensure the Board continues its
tradition of independence, forthrightness and fairness in serving
Australia's veteran community."

The Veterans' Review Board is an independent statutory body that revi=
ews
decisions of the Repatriation Commission affecting certain pensions a=
nd
benefits for Australian veterans and their dependants.=20

Decisions reviewed by the VRB include claims for injury or disease as=
 caused
by war/defence, claims for war widows'/widowers' pensions, assessment=
 of the
rate of pension paid for war/defence=ADcaused incapacity and claims f=
or grant
of attendance allowance. It may affirm, vary or set aside the decisio=
n under
review and, where appropriate, substitute its own decision.