The Hon Darren Chester MP
12 Feb 16
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The Hon Darren Chester MP
Assistant Minister for Defence
Media contact
- Brie Colley (Mr Chester’s office) (02) 6277 4029
- James Cannon (Tribunal) 0433 884 238
- Defence Media (02) 6127 1999
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18 September 2015
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Darren Chester, today announced the Australian Government has accepted the recommendation of the independent Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal that the Australian Government does not have the legal authority to change eligibility for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Mr Chester said the Tribunal was directed to inquire into and report on the Australian Government’s legal ability to amend the eligibility criteria for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
“On 25 June 2015, the Tribunal handed its report on the Inquiry into the feasibility of amending the eligibility criteria for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal to the Government, in which it recommended that eligibility criteria for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal not be amended because the Australian Government does not have the legal authority to do so,” Mr Chester said.
“The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is a foreign award that was offered to Australia by the then Government of the Republic of Vietnam. Because this government no longer exists, there is no avenue available to seek amendment to the eligibility criteria for the medal.
“I would like to acknowledge the veterans and individuals who made submissions and advocated on the behalf of Vietnam War veterans as a part of this Inquiry. I recognise their concerns about the existing criteria, I commend them for their service to our nation and I understand that this is not the result that all individuals would have wished for.
“I am however satisfied that a full and vigorous process has been followed. The advice from the Australian Government Solicitor is the Australian Government does not have the legal authority to amend the criteria for the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
“The Australian Government accepts the Tribunal’s finding. The inquiry into this matter demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the independent review of Defence honours and awards issues.”
Media note:
The Tribunal’s full report is available at www.defence-honours-tribunal.gov.au.
Further information on Defence honours and awards is available at www.defence.gov.au/medals.
Media contacts:
Brie Colley (Mr Chester’s office) (02) 6277 4029
Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999