Submission 5 Robert Edwards Compensation and Rehabilitation for Veterans Public inquiry

Compensation and Rehabilitation For Veterans

Personal Submission by Robert Edwards

My submission focuses on how I feel I have been and continue to be affected by The Veterans Entitlement Act. Yes I am appreciative of being awarded ongoing compensation for my disabilities whilst serving in the Regular Australian Army however these accepted disabilities will never allow me to re-enter the workforce and therefore never allow me to earn at a rate to lie other than a basic lifestyle.

It is approximately 19 years since I applied to the Department of Veterans Affairs for approval to return to the workforce. After a series of appointments and assessments with The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service upon their recommendation The Department of Veterans Affairs refused my application as I would not be able to cope.

My disabilities and my inability to return to the workforce will never allow me to earn more than a basic income as I do from my Compensation Pension. I cannot plan to buy an Investment Property or when looking into the future when I will need to upgrade my personal Vehicle I will need to save diligently for at least three years for a very basic vehicle.

The Pension appears regularly in my appointed Bank Account and will do the basic job if I am careful with Rent Food and necessities of life, however I don’t have much excess.

In so far as the Rehabilitation portion of my submission well treatment is ongoing but lacks assessment of improvement.

Yours Faithfully

Robert Edwards