9. RUSSELL FAIRBROTHER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Veterans' Affairs
What is the Government doing to honour its commitments through the memorandum of understanding to Viet Nam veterans?
Hon RICK BARKER (Minister of Veterans’ Affairs) Link to this
Yesterday we all heard the Prime Minister deliver the Crown apology to Viet Nam veterans. This weekend is Tribute 08, the commemoration weekend honouring Viet Nam veterans and their families. Of the many other things the Government is doing, I will highlight but one: the free, one-off, comprehensive medical assessment of every single veteran of the Viet Nam War. This is under way now, because the veterans’ health is of paramount concern. These medical checks will provide essential information on the current health status of Viet Nam veterans as a group. I encourage all Viet Nam veterans, healthy or not, to register with Veterans Affairs New Zealand and to take advantage of this one-off offer.
Russell Fairbrother Link to this
What ongoing work is the Government involved with so as to improve services to veterans?
I will highlight just three. Firstly, the Government has agreed to establish an expert panel to review the scientific evidence on an ongoing basis and make recommendations on the list of prescribed conditions and the level of war disablement pensions. Secondly, the Government has announced the reorganisation of Veterans Affairs as a one-stop shop for veterans. Thirdly, the Government is commencing the rewrite of the War Pensions Act.