Veterans' Affairs

122 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (12 August 2014). (First Session) In reference to 2014-15 Budget Paper 4, Volume 1, page 107, Program 4: Veterans' Affairs—

Have any negotiations been undertaken with the commonwealth government regarding the recognition of veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces coming under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 and if so, what is the current status of those negotiations?

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs): I have been advised:

On 30 January 2012, the former Minister for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Jack Snelling MP, wrote to the then Commonwealth Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Warren Snowdon MP on behalf of British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) veterans at the request of the Veterans' Advisory Council. Unfortunately, the response received from Mr Snowdon advised that reclassification for the service rendered by BCOF veterans would not occur.

I am advised that the BCOF Association is currently pursuing the matter in the High Court of Australia.