REVIEW OF THE VETERANS SUPPORT ACT – CONSULTATION MEETINGS
Media Release – Professor Ron Paterson
25 July 2017 CONSULTATION ON VETERANS’ SUPPORT ACT UNDERWAY
A discussion document about how the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 is working has been released today.
It is part of the consultation process for a Review of how the legislation is operating. The Review is a legal requirement under the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 and is being independently led by Professor Ron Paterson. The Review is expected to be completed, and a report provided to the Chief of Defence Force, by the end of 2017.
The discussion document seeks views about how the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 is working, what could be improved, and what needs to be changed.
“I have released this discussion document early in the Review process, to give people as much time as possible to think about how the Veterans’ Support Act is working for them”, says Professor Paterson.
Submissions on the discussion document are due by 15 September 2017. Consultation meetings will be held in Whāngārei, Auckland, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill in August and September. Information about the independent review, consultation process and discussion document can be found on the New Zealand Defence Force website www.nzdf.mil.nz/corporate-documents/vsa
“I’m looking forward to meeting as many veterans and their families as possible at the consultation meetings. They have served our country and the Veterans’ Support Act is there to provide the support and rehabilitation they need as a result of their service”, says Professor Paterson.
“We don’t often get the opportunity, so soon after new legislation comes into effect, to
independently review how it is working”.
“I encourage everyone who has an interest to take this opportunity to have their say”.
ENDS
For more information, contact: review.vsa@nzdf.mil.nz
Consultation meetings for the Review are being held in the following locations over August and September 2017. The meetings will be hosted by Professor Paterson. Anyone with an interest in contributing to the Review can attend a meeting. You do not need to RSVP. You can both attend a meeting and put in a written submission.
Whangarei Friday 11 August 2017
Whangarei RSA, 10.00am
7-9 Rust Avenue,
Whangarei
Auckland Wednesday 9 August 2017
Manurewa RSA, 10.30am
2-8 Maich Road,
Manurewa
Auckland Wednesday 9 August 2017
Henderson RSA, 2.00pm
66-70 Railside Ave,
Henderson
Tauranga Friday 18 August 2017
Tauranga RSA, 11.00am
1237 Cameron Road,
Greerton, Tauranga
Gisborne Friday 25 August 2017
Gisborne RSA, 11.00am
Cnr Childers Road and Bright Street,
Gisborne
Napier Friday 1 September 2017
Napier RSA, 10.30am
34 Vautier Street,
Napier
Wellington Monday 4 September 2017
Lower Hutt RSA, 9.30am
Petone Workingmen’s Club,
47 Udy Street,
Petone
Wellington Monday 4 September 2017
Porirua RSA, 2.00pm
5-7 McKillop Street,
Porirua
Palmerston North Tuesday 5 September 2017
Palmerston North Senior Citizens Hall, 10.30am
323 Main Street,
Palmerston North
Christchurch Friday 8 September 2017
Christchurch RSA, 9.30am
74 Armagh Street,
Christchurch
Christchurch Friday 8 September 2017
Paparua Templeton RSA, 1.00pm
38 Kirk Road,
Templeton,
Christchurch
Dunedin Thursday 7 September 2017 10.00am
Mosgiel RSA, 10.00am
6 Church Street,
Mosgiel
Invercargill Wednesday 6 September 2017
North Lounge of the Corinthian Centre, 1.00pm
Invercargill Workingmen’s Club,
154 Esk Street,
Invercargill