10. STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) Link to this
to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs
What announcements has he made about the memorandum of understanding signed between representatives of veterans of the Viet Nam War and the Government in December 2006?
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister of Veterans' Affairs) Link to this
A cross-party announcement will be made later today, launching Tribute 08. During the joint working-group’s extensive consultation in 2005, Viet Nam veterans spoke of the negative response they personally felt on their return to New Zealand. Tribute 08 is a commemoration to acknowledge the service of Viet Nam veterans and those who died, and the sacrifices of their families. It is an important step to allow the healing process to begin. Veterans organisations are keen that all political parties should come behind this process, and broad support shown for Tribute 08 would be pleasing. I look forward to the actual event being held next year, on Queen’s Birthday weekend.
Good progress is being made by the joint implementation group, which consists of Government agencies and representatives of the two Viet Nam veterans organisations, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association and the Ex-Vietnam Services Association. The most important task is getting a full and accurate register of Viet Nam veterans. So far, 3,621 Viet Nam veterans and their families have registered. Ex gratia payments are being made. The trust deed of the Viet Nam Veterans and Their Families Trust, worth $7 million, has been signed and a cheque for $250,000 to the Ex-Vietnam Services Association (Neville Wallace Memorial) Children’s and Grandchildren’s Trust has been presented. Work is almost complete on free medical checks, and I could continue. Tribute 08 represents another important part of delivering for Viet Nam veterans and their families.
Pita ParaoneTēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Given a recent report that has indicated that a number of veterans have had declined their applications to Veterans Affairs New Zealand, for consideration under the arrangements reached between Government and the bodies that represented these veterans, can the Minister advise what will be done to address the health needs of these veterans and their families—needs that have arisen as a result of veterans having served their country in what was described as a “toxic environment” in Viet Nam?
I cannot speak on those details because the member has not been specific about them, but if he cares to contact my office I will certainly investigate the matter immediately. But I can say to the member and to this House that Veterans Affairs New Zealand currently pays out 1,381 war disablement pensions to Viet Nam veterans. So we are taking up the issue of Viet Nam veterans and addressing their health needs.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Tēnā koe, Madam Speaker. Kia ora tātou. Is the Minister aware that at 4 p.m. today Viet Nam veterans will parade on Parliament in protest against what they describe as “the Crown’s consistent and despicable rejection of Viet Nam veterans’ health and welfare concerns”, and would he not agree that the continued refusal of the Government working party to meet Māori veterans on marae, or to consider the impact of dioxin on the veteran community and others, is responsible for the enduring sense of anger and injustice these people experience?
There are a number of parts to that question. Firstly, the Government has negotiated in good faith with the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association and the Ex-Vietnam Services Association and has come to an honourable agreement. That honourable agreement covers all of the nine points raised in the open letter by Viet Nam veterans that was signed some years ago. All of those nine points have been addressed, either in part or in total. The memorandum of understanding has about 60 different points, and is extensive and ongoing. Finally, I make the point to the member that the Government, through Veterans Affairs, is paying out just on 1,400 war disablement pensions to Viet Nam veterans, and that these war disablement pensions cover all aspects of health, including the results of exposure to dioxins and the toxic environment. This Government does care about veterans’ health and is doing everything it can to ensure they are well looked after.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
How does the memorandum of understanding cater for the issue of support and counselling available to veterans—who returned from Viet Nam shell-shocked and traumatised, resulting, in some cases, in alcohol dependency—and the subsequent intergenerational impact of this drug on their children?
That is generally today called post-traumatic stress syndrome, and I am pleased to be able to report to the member that Veterans Affairs funds a substantial amount of counselling and support for veterans who have post-traumatic stress syndrome. If that member is aware of people who could benefit from that, I would be very pleased if he could make their names known to me and I will ensure that they and their families get the support necessary to help them.