Fed: Air force families may need compensation

AAP General News (Australia)
04-10-2001
Fed: Air force families may need compensation

The Regular Defence Force Welfare Association says there could be cause for spouses
and children of RAAF maintenance workers with health problems to receive compensation.

Giving evidence today at the F-111 Deseal/Reseal Board of Inquiry in Brisbane, association
national vice-president KERRY MELLOR said compensation was wider than the health and disability
of the RAAF workers themselves.

Mr MELLOR says the health of wives may have been affected by their husbands' health
and children too may have congenital defects attributable to their fathers' health.

He says there is a precedent in respect of Vietnam veterans where certain psychological
disorders and conditions such as cleft lip/palate and spina bifida, are recognised by
government as attributable to their father's service.

Mr MELLOR, whose address was applauded by the inquiry's public gallery, says maintenance
workers who give evidence to the inquiry face a fragmented defence force compensation
system which needs a comprehensive overhaul.





The inquiry, which is holding its final day of public hearings today, was called last
July to investigate health problems relating to the F-111 maintenance process known as
deseal/reseal at RAAF Amberley air base, west of Brisbane.

The maintenance process has since been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry
and a major health investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

AAP RTV pjo/sc/mjm

KEYWORD: F111 (BRISBANE)

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