MoU Frequently Asked QuestionsThe Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in December 2006 is a recognition by the Government that Vietnam Veterans and their families have legitimate concerns about how they have been treated over the past 30 years. The MoU was signed by the Government, and the Ex-Vietnam Services Association (EVSA) and the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA). It is the result of considerable negotiation between the Government and the Veterans groups, and extensive consultation with Veterans through a joint working group to ensure all concerns were considered. Everything it contains was requested by Veterans who made submissions to the Joint Working Group. It does not address all concerns, but the Government acknowledges that the Veterans organisations will be back at a later date to pursue any outstanding issues.
What does the MoU say about the Apology?A formal public apology to Vietnam Veterans and their families, acknowledging the Veterans’ service and the Crown’s previous failures to address concerns. The MoU also acknowledges that the Reeves (1999) and McLeod (2001) reports were based on flawed assumptions. When do we get the apology? The Prime Minister is expected to deliver the apology in Parliament in the first half of next year. What does the MoU say about the Commemorations?All Vietnam Veterans and their families are invited to participate in the Tribute08 reunion on Queens Birthday Weekend next year. An important part of Tribute08 will be a Whakanoa ceremony to commemorate the 37 New Zealanders who died in action and those who have died since. The NZDF will publicly acknowledge Veterans were not well treated when they returned to New Zealand. Will we get some financial assistance to help us attend? The Government is subsidising accommodation costs for Veterans and their families. Special travel deals are being negotiated. What does the MoU say about the Payments?Vietnam Veterans receive a one-off payment of $40,000 if they are suffering a “prescribed condition”. The partner of a Veteran who has died as a result of a prescribed condition receives $25,000; $30,000 is paid to each child who suffers from any of five “accepted conditions”; and a payment of $30,000 goes to each family who has lost a child to one of five accepted conditions. A number of payments have already been made in each category and others are being processed. What are these “conditions”? A “prescribed condition” – related to exposure to Agent Orange – can be chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, soft tissue sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease or chloracne. The five “currently accepted conditions” for Veterans’ children are spina bifida, cleft lip, cleft palate, acute myeloid leukaemia and adrenal gland cancer. What does the MoU say about the Expert Panel?A panel of independent experts will consider international research and data on health conditions associated with war service and will recommend uniform standards and criteria. Why? To ensure all Veterans with equal degrees of disability are treated fairly and consistently. The panel will also make recommendations about other health conditions to be added to the currently accepted list. What does the MoU say about the Medical Assessments?Vietnam Veterans will be funded for a one-off comprehensive medical examination and any specialist visits required. Why? It will help to establish your eligibility for a War Disablement Pension (WDP), or extend your existing WDP. Data from the medical assessments will provide valuable input to the expert panel. What does the MoU say about the Trust Fund?The Vietnam Veterans and Their Families Trust has been established with a Crown endowment of $7 million for 30 years. The trust began calling for applications in October (see story opposite page). What will it do? It aims to provide support to Vietnam Veterans and their families where the MoU or other government agencies are not addressing concerns and circumstances. Application forms can be accessed at www.evsa.org.nz What does the MoU say about the Oral History?The Ministry of Culture and Heritage is being funded for the next four years to record an oral history of the accounts and experiences of Vietnam Veterans and their families. Why? To ensure that all perspectives of the Vietnam Veteran community are preserved for future generations. More information on the Vietnam War Oral History project can be found on www.vietnamwar.govt.nz or email: info@vietnamwar.govt.nz What does the MoU say about the Medals?The Queen has been asked to approve a distinctly New Zealand medal for Vietnam Service, and to allow South Vietnamese gallantry awards to be worn by recipients. A Battle/Theatre Honours Committee, convened by NZDF, has recommended that the 1 RNZIR South Vietnam Theatre Honour be changed to recognise the service of all rifle companies that served in Vietnam. Why? The current 1 RNZIR South Vietnam Theatre Honour does not include the service of the original Victor Company, half of the service of Victor 5 and all of the service of Victor 6. What does the MoU say about the Children's and Grandchildren's Trust?The Crown has made a one-off grant of $250,000 to The EVSA (Neville Wallace Memorial) Children’s & Grandchildren’s Trust. Where can I find out more? See www.evsayouthtrust.org.nz What does the MoU say about the Veterans' and Children's Cards?All Veterans will be eligible for a Veterans’ Card and their children will be eligible for a Vietnam Veterans Children’s Card. The specific entitlements, benefits and facilities haven’t been worked out yet. How will the cards help? They will help you to access medical services and ensure that health professionals have the right information when they are checking your health. The Children’s Card will help health professionals to take into account the parent’s Vietnam service when assessing health care. What does the MoU say about the Research?The Crown is to access, monitor and, where appropriate, sponsor research into the intergenerational effects of dioxins. Why? One of the major concerns of many Veterans is how their exposure to a toxic environment could affect their children and subsequent generations. What does the MoU say about the National register?The Crown has established a national register of all Vietnam Veterans, their partners, children and grandchildren (living and deceased). Registration enables access for Veterans or their families to entitlements, including those provided by the MoU. Information provided on registration forms will also help inform the expert panel about health conditions and the needs of Veterans and family members. How many have registered so far? As at November 9, 2007, 4592 people have registered, including; 1210 living Veterans, 97 deceased Veterans, 955 spouses/partners (32 deceased), 1288 children (21 deceased) and 1042 grandchildren. What does the MoU say about the Provision of information?Veterans’ Affairs will make available to medical professionals and to Vietnam Veterans and their children relevant medical information (to the extent permitted by law) to help monitor and screen for relevant health conditions. What does the MoU say about the Veterans' retirement homes?The Crown will work with Veterans’ organisations and Veterans’ retirement homes to establish “centres of excellence” to specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions prevalent among Veterans. Models of best practice are being investigated internationally. Why? This recognises that Veterans and families have specific needs not necessarily experienced by the general public. What does the MoU say about the VANZ review?The Crown, in consultation with Veterans organisations, will review how services can be better delivered to Veterans and their families. The review will be integrated with the rewriting of the War Pensions Act. What will be included in the review? All aspects of the functions, responsibilities, structure, resourcing and placement of VANZ (Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand). What does the MoU say about the War Pensions Act review?The War Pensions Act (1954) is to be completely reviewed and rewritten to ensure it is appropriate for the conditions Veterans now face, and to improve service delivery to Veterans and families. How will this affect the “reverse onus of proof”? The Government has guaranteed that the “reverse onus of proof” provision will be retained in the rewrite. What does the MoU say about the Joint Implementation Group?A Joint Implementation Group (JIG) comprising representatives of the Crown and Veterans organisations has been established to oversee implementation of the MoU. The JIG reports on progress through Veterans organisations and to the Government through the Ministers of Defence and of Veterans Affairs. Why was the JIG established? The Veterans organisations and the Government were concerned to ensure that the MoU was implemented as fully and as quickly as possible. |
|
