PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: PM Io. 5 '! 971
UI~ DEPENDErTF ENQUIRY INJTO REPATRIATION SYSTEM
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. William McMahon
From time to time, representations have been made to the
Government, particularly by the Returned Services League of Australia, to
have an enquiry into the rationale and principles of the Repatriation system.
In response to these requests, and following discussions with my
colleague, the Minister for Repatriation, Mr. Mac Holten, we have now
decided that an independent enquiry should be set in train.
I am sure that all the ex-servicemen's organisations will welcome
this decision, as also will the critics of the system, most of whom have
expressed a preference for an-indepe. det non-parliamentary enquiry rather
than the one which the Government had earlier directed to be carried out by
the Repatriation Department.
The exact terms of reference of the enquiry will be settled as
soon as practicable, after which consideration will be given to the selection
of a suitable person to conduct the enquiry and to the appointment of people
to assist him. It is probable that certain evidence will be taken in public, but
this will depend to some degree on the terms of reference which are ultimately
decided upon, and on the general framework of the enquiry.
These matters and others w ll be the subject of a separate statement at
a later date by the Minister for Repatriation.
The Government feels that the course of action it is now adopting should
meet the wishes of most of those people in terested in the problem of war
compensation for those who have disabilities related to war service.
CANBERRA 27 May 1971