10. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs
Does he agree with the Returned and Services Association national president John Campbell that the way veterans have been treated is a blot on New Zealand’s record, and when will the veterans of the Viet Nam War, who have been involved in a long campaign to gain compensation for the effects of herbicides such as Agent Orange, be given justice?
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister of Veterans' Affairs) Link to this
In 2004 this Government was the first of any New Zealand Government to set up a joint working-group to look at the issues of Viet Nam veterans being exposed to a toxic environment. I acknowledge that for decades before this time, previous Governments denied and ignored the issue. As to the effects of Agent Orange, I make it clear that all Viet Nam veterans can apply for a war disablement pension for any disability that they believe can be attributable or aggravated by their service, including exposure to a toxic environment. That support extends to children of Viet Nam veterans, as well. Many have applied, and are supported. There is a particular case here for Viet Nam veterans, and that is why the Government is working positively with the RSA and the Ex-Vietnam Services Association to address the issues.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
How many fieldworkers are available to provide support to veterans and their families, including grandchildren, to access their full entitlements to benefits, to cope with the effects of the war, and to live with the effects of the chemical poison Agent Orange; and what is the nature of the support provided?
Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand has a number of facilities available for Viet Nam veterans’ children, including counselling to help them understand the issues, and genetic counselling. There is also support directly for veterans’ children who have suffered from conditions such as cleft palate, spina bifida, and so on. What I will acknowledge to the member is that Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand does not have the extent of field support that I think it should have, and that is an issue I do want to address.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I think the question was fairly specific: how many fieldworkers are available? Can the Minister please answer that question?
Madam SPEAKERA number of the agencies—for example, Work and Income—do carry out work on behalf of Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand. Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand has staff, including its director, who travel around the country from time to time, and a telephone line is available so that people can talk directly to case managers about these issues. So there is quite a substantial amount of support there. The point I am making to the member is that I think we should do better.
Hon Marian HobbsThe Government’s response to the joint working-group will be made public when the discussions with the Ex-Vietnam Services Association and the RSA are complete. Both organisations have indicated they are comfortable with the progress to date and are willing to continue the dialogue until we have collectively reached a decision that addresses the issue of the Viet Nam veterans in a lasting and meaningful way.
Judith CollinsWhy are Viet Nam veterans and their families still waiting for the Minister to release the joint working-group’s report—not his response, just the report—into the effect of Agent Orange on them, when on 6 April this year he guaranteed to Parliament that the unedited report would be released to the public; when will it be released?
The joint working-group’s report to the Government will be released at the time that the Government responds to it. I want to say that the Ex-Vietnam Services Association and the RSA have made it clear to the Government that they are committed to continuing the talks, but they have told the Government that the timing cannot be to the detriment of a sustainable outcome, that they are confident that the current talks will deliver, and that they will continue to work with the Government to find an honourable outcome.
Pita ParaoneHow many New Zealand Viet Nam veterans have died since their return and subsequent discharge from the Army, and how many of those deaths were, or could be, attributable to their service in Viet Nam?
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
How effective have the initiatives been in supporting the veterans who claim they have been affected by Agent Orange?
The members who claim they have been affected by Agent Orange, and for whom service cannot be ruled out as a factor in their condition, have been supported by Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand in the form of a war disablement pension. I do not have the exact number but it is quite significant, and has been over a long period of time.
Tim BarnettCan the Minister confirm that National was in Government for 18 years following the end of the Viet Nam War and undertook no action on this issue?
That is a broad question. It is not an appropriate question. The Minister has no responsibility for the National Party.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Given the information from Massey University’s Viet Nam veterans study, which found that veterans exposed to dioxin have DNA damage, will he be discussing with the Minister of Health the impact of such information that may have a bearing on the residents at Paritutu in Taranaki or on the sawmillers of Whakatāne, who have been subjected to dioxin poisoning; if not, why not?