PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS PM. NO. 82/ 1967
FREE REPLACEMENT OF LOST MEDALS
Earlier this year, Senator J. E. Marriott of Tasmania
asked a Question V ithout Notice in regard to medals lost in the
Tasmanian bushfires. Mr Holt today sent the following reply to the Senator:
" Dear Senator Marriott, On 18th April, 1967, you asked the Leader of
the Government in the Senate a Question Without Notice
concerning Service Awards and Decorations lost in the recent
bushfires in Tasmania. It is the practice to replace Campaign Stars,
Decorations, etc., on production of a Statutory Declaration
setting out the circumstances of loss or destruction
In the past, a small charge ( including package
and postage) has been made to cover the actual cost of the
item to the Service Department concerned.
I have now decided that free replaeement will
be made to all ex-servicemen who can satisfactorily explain,
by Statutory Declaration, the loss of the original free issue.
This, of ourse, will apply to ex-servicemen who lost their
medals in the Tasmanian bushfires.
My colleague, the Treasurer, has been asked to
refund any amount charged to ex-servicemen who have applied
and paid for replacement consequent on the bushfires.
Yours sincerely,
HAROLD HOLT.
CANBERRA, 17th August, 1967