Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Act 2017 (128 of 2017)

Schedule 2   Specialist Medical Review Council

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986

28   At the end of Division 4 of Part XIB

Add:

196ZQ Travelling expenses for making oral submissions

(1) If:

(a) either:

(i) the Review Council is carrying out a review under subsection 196W(2) and an individual, or an organisation referred to in paragraph 196Y(1)(c), has made a written submission in relation to the review; or

(ii) the Review Council is carrying out a review under subsection 196W(6) at the request of an individual or an organisation; and

(b) a person who is one of the following appears before the Review Council to make an oral submission in relation to the review:

(i) the individual or his or her representative;

(ii) a representative of the organisation;

the person is, subject to this section, entitled to be paid, for travel that the person undertook to appear, the travelling expenses that are prescribed.

(2) If:

(a) the person is accompanied by an attendant when travelling to appear before the Review Council; and

(b) the Review Council is of the view that it is reasonable for the person to be so accompanied by an attendant;

the attendant is, subject to this section, entitled to be paid for that travel the travelling expenses that are prescribed.

(3) Travelling expenses are not payable in respect of travel outside Australia.

(4) Travelling expenses are not payable unless:

(a) the person who has incurred the expenses; or

(b) any person approved by that person or by the Review Council;

applies in writing to the Review Council for payment and the Review Council approves the application.

(5) The application for payment must be:

(a) made within 3 months after the completion of the travel; and

(b) accompanied by any document that the applicant considers relevant; and

(c) lodged with the Review Council in accordance with the directions of the Convener under section 196ZR.

(6) The Commonwealth is to pay the travelling expenses to which a person is entitled under this section.