“Should veterans receive better treatment than other New Zealanders?,” was the question asked.
For those gathered in the room – politicians, legal experts, veterans’ representatives, and the Chief of Defence Force, the answer appeared to be a simple but definite ‘yes’.
This was the launch of the Law Commission’s discussion paper on a review of the War Pensions Act 1954, the first step on a journey to reform the war pensions system.
In late 2007 the Government tasked the Law Commission with reviewing the Act. As Veterans’ Affairs Minister Rick Barker points out, the current War Pensions Act is out of date and needs to be rewritten in order to meet the needs of current and future veterans.
“The government is committed to ensuring that the care and services we provide to veterans are of the highest possible standard, and the legislation which underpins this effort needs to reflect the changing face of our veterans’ population and take a more holistic approach to the welfare of our veterans,” he says.
The Law Commission’s starting point for the discussion paper has been to develop a set of overarching principles – high among these being the provision of greater entitlements for veterans than are available to others.
The logic is simple: a career in the Armed Forces differs from all other occupations. People are required to subject themselves to the risk of death or injury, and they are obligated by law to obey orders and, as such, they have a duty to fight and kill if necessary. Therefore, there is a place for a special allowance to be paid to people who have been put in harm’s way by the State and suffered as a result.
Sir Geoffrey says over the years there have been piecemeal changes to the legislation but this is the first thorough review. Other issues identified include improving accountability and transparency in decision-making, and addressing modern battlefield ailments like post traumatic stress disorder.
“Any new legislation must meet the needs of service personnel in modern conflicts,” he says.
Our Responsibilities
When a framed copy of the War Pensions Act 1915 was symbolically passed from Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Peter Hughes to Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Mateparae, so too was a duty of care.
Previously the administration of War Disablement Pensions had been split between Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) and the Ministry of Social Development. But the handover ceremony marked a change from 1 July 2008, whereby VANZ became the sole agency responsible for delivering all aspects of War Disablement Pensions.
VANZ, a semi-autonomous agency within the New Zealand Defence Force, then became an operational unit of the Defence Force – improving the lines of accountability and better recognising the life-long responsibility of the Chief of the Defence Force to veterans.
“The transfer of responsibility for the care of veterans with disabilities is a significant event,” says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Rick Barker. “This single agency approach is driven by the goal of making it simpler and easier for veterans to access the services and support they need.
Lt Gen Mateparae says the New Zealand Defence Force views these changes as a real opportunity to enhance the quality and effectiveness of services provided to our veterans.
“VANZ now has the end-to-end ownership and accountability for the entire War Disablement Pension process and for the co-ordination of services to veterans. As the Chief of Defence Force ultimately I am accountable and veterans should know that this is a responsibility I take very seriously,” he says.
Making a Submission
The Law Commission will accept written submissions on their discussion paper until 28 November 2008. These can be sent to:
Lecretia Seales
PO Box 2590,
Wellington 6001
or veterans@lawcom.govt.nz
In addition, meetings will be held at RSAs in Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, Ruatoria, Napier, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin at the end of October and beginning of November.
- There are an estimated 45,000 veterans in New Zealand.
- WWII veterans make up the single largest group, about 20 per cent of the total veteran population.
- Around 5000 currently serving members of the NZDF are veterans.
- 15,855 veterans receive War Disablement Pensions for disabilities that are deemed attributable to, or aggravated by, service.
- Between 3,500 and 4,000 veterans are actively case managed.
Tribute 08
Unrehearsed and without fuss, the rows of veterans quickly formed up and began to march. Despite their years, a tight and precise formation emerged, legs and arms in perfect unison.
Not just a remembered skill it seemed, but more automatic than that. Almost as if it were something etched into the very DNA of these old soldiers – another of the lasting legacies of their service in a conflict that our nation had too easily consigned to history.
But that was the very point for the thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families who had gathered in Wellington for Tribute 08 this year - for New Zealand to collectively recognise their service and remember.
Prime Minister Helen Clark summed the special week of events up like this:
“It is about acknowledging and apologising for the wrongs of the past. It is about respect for those who gave loyal service. It is about dealing with the legacy of the past now and in the future. It is about sharing memories of what happened. It is about reunion. And it is about welcoming our veterans home officially.”
The welcome included a mayoral reception, and an honour parade down the streets of Wellington to Parliament. Family members carried photos of the 37 New Zealand personnel who lost their lives into Parliament’s Legislative Council Chamber where a vigil was held, part of a whakanoa or healing ceremony. There was also a wreath laying ceremony at the National War Memorial.
It was from here that the veterans marched again so splendidly to a commemoration event at the Basin Reserve. Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association National President Robin Klitscher observed the sense of hurt and bewilderment felt by those who had returned from war hoping to find normality again.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae concluded with the simple words Vietnam veterans had longed to hear for almost four decades: “Thank you for your service; thank you for your sacrifices; thank you for your contribution to New Zealand. I know it is long overdue, but to our New Zealand Vietnam veterans - welcome home.”