WA Consultative Forum MinutesMarch 2014

WA Consultative Forum (WACF)

25th March 2014

Chair : Craig Boyd, Acting Deputy Commissioner WA.

Representative / Association
Mr Richard Usher / Defence Force Welfare Association
Mr Graeme Bland / Royal Australian Air Force Association
(WA Division)
Mr Laurie Bodey / T & P I Association
Mrs Sandra Cross / Partners of Veterans Association Western Australia Inc – PVAWA
Mr Richard Williams / Vietnam Veterans’ Association of Australia
Mrs Lesley Westlake / Western Australian Branch of the Partners of Veterans Association of Australia Inc – WAPVA
Ms Sue Wilson & Ms Jan McLeod / War Widows’ Guild of Australia
Apologies
Dr R G Cook AM RFD / Defence Reserves Association (WA Branch) Inc
Ian Holthouse / Naval Association of Australia
Mr Robin C Lovegrove / Returned & Services League
Mr Peter Larter / Australian SAS Assn (WA Branch)
Mr Peter Eddy / Perth Legacy

Opened 10am.

Craigprovided a briefing on a range of areas of operation within DVA for the information of members. The briefing utilised the detailed notes prepared by other Divisions of DVA and covered the following topics with any discussion points outside of materials provided by Divisions listed:

  • Exercise Physiologists
  • Query : When veterans access the Heart Health Program and continue on after the program is complete – is that covered?
  • Heart Health runs for a year and there is no further DVA funded access to gyms after that.
  • DVA will fund exercise physiology to treat a specific condition. This may be done in a gym in which case the entrance fee is paid for by the provider.
  • An expected outcome from a course of exercise physiology treatment is a program that can be undertaken independently without the need for costly gym equipment. If veterans wish to continue with an exercise program following their treatment, it becomes a private arrangement between the veteran and the gym or exercise physiologist.
  • DVA has a long standing policy that it does not pay for ongoing, generalised exercise programs and ongoing group exercise classes or gym membership. Since February 2013 this has also included clients covered by the SRCA and MRCA.
  • Factsheet Available here :
  • Veterans’ Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (Veterans’ MATES)
  • WACF members have requested copies of module 37 (appropriate use of oral anticoagulants) and Module 38 (Chronic musculoskeletal pain). Copies have been mailed.
  • All Veterans’ MATES modules are online at:
  • Private Hospitals & Day Procedure Centres
  • Private Hospitals were not bound by the Carers’ Recognition Act. WAPVA would like this included in the next round of contracts.
  • Feedback sent to the Private Hospital Contracting Team.
  • SRCA White Card Update
  • Mental Health Facilities
  • Public Hospitals
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Program (PTSD) – Accreditation
  • Rehabilitation Appliances Program Schedule review
  • Protocols for engaging with people with disability in the development and delivery of DVA business
  • In-Home Telemonitoring for Veterans Trial
  • Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record system (PCEHR)
  • Coordinated Veterans’ Care (CVC) Program
  • Mental and social health new initiatives
  • Enthusiastic reception of the expansion of eligibility for VVCS services.
  • At Ease portal, Mobile Applications, YouTube Videos
  • Veterans’ Health Week (VHW) 2014
  • Homelessness in the Veteran Community
  • Indigenous ‘Champion’ Project
  • Wellbeing Toolbox
  • Anzac Centenary Program 2014-2018
  • ANZAC Preparations : There is a feeling that the funding and recognition should be spread over all service.
  • Action : DVA to provide an outline of the commemorations calendar for the Centenary when it is released.
  • Action : Confirmation of the date for Bruce Rock in 2014. Confirmed as Tuesday 7th to Sunday 12th October 2014.
  • DVA Towards 2020
  • On Base Advisory Service (OBAS)
  • Feedback : MRCA Brochures don’t mention ESOs or advocates. This could be one reason why some advocates are not confident in dealing with MRCA claims.
  • Gallipoli 2015 Ballot
  • Commemorations : Education and Community Awareness
  • ESOs can contact WA Commems Officer Kathryn to request education resources for ANZAC school visits.
  • Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (ACLGP)
  • Saluting Their Service (STS)Commemorations Grants Program
  • OAWG : Possible new commemorative projects
  • Australian Remembrance Trail
  • Vietnam Veterans Education Centre
  • Australian National Memorial, Wellington, New Zealand
  • Rehabilitation Review Project
  • Implementation of MRCA Recommendations
  • Action : Craig to supply the summary document of the MRCA Review. The review is available at :
  • Single Appeal Pathway
  • Review of Veterans’ Advocacy
  • SRCA White Card
  • Transitional Permanent Impairment
  • Incapacity Cross Agency Working Group
  • Superannuation Cross Agency Working Group
  • Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST)
  • BEST Round 16 opening date Will it be advertised?
  • Action : Fiona to advise the WACF members when the round opens.

Members Issues Raised

Medical Costs for Claim evidence : Peter Eddy.

Mr Eddy was an apology for the meeting. Topic taken offline for an individual response.

Disclosure of Indexation in DVA letters : Max Ball

The standard letter advising of a change due to indexation does not disclose to the recipient the details of the change, such as what indice was used (there are three) and what percentage, the source of the information (one presumes the ABS) and the actual calculation. I think these details should be disclosed to veterans.

Action : Feedback sent to the Better Letters project.

IS 30 Factsheet.

The Special rate is stated to be $1293.20. However, as noted in the media release by the Minister dated 21 March 2014, this figure includes the Clean Energy Supplement, so what is, officially, the Special Rate? Is it $1293.20 or $1293.20 minus the Clean Energy Supplement? Or are they now inextricably linked together, never to be parted? What would happen should the government repeal the CES as they are attempting with the Income Support Bonus?

Response : The Special rate will include the CES for as long as it remains government policy.

VAN Services

A suggestion that DVA utilize ABC Regional Radio for a regular chat about DVA benefits, services and hot topics to reach some of the veterans who do not have access to local VAN services.

Action : DVA to take this up as a suggestion for future business planning.

Next meeting:

New2014 dates :

Tuesday 15th July 2014 @10am

Tuesday 18th November 2014 @10am

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